Non-dehiscent sesame variety sesaco 30

ABSTRACT

Improved non-dehiscent sesame ( Sesamum indicum  L.) designated Sesaco 30 (S30) is herein disclosed. Its degree of shatter resistance, or seed retention, makes S30 suitable for mechanized harvesting.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a new Sesamum indicum L. variety with improvednon-dehiscence appropriate for mechanized harvesting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sesame, or Sesamum indicum, is a tropical annual cultivated worldwidefor its oil and its nut flavored seeds. The sesame plant grows to aheight of about 56-249 cm, and at its leaf axils are found capsuleswhich contain the sesame seed. Upon maturity in nature, the capsulesholding the sesame seeds begin to dry down, the capsules normally splitopen, and the seeds fall out. Commercially, the harvester tries torecover as much seed as possible from mature capsules. From ancienttimes through the present, the opening of the capsule has been the majorfactor in attempting to successfully collect the seed. Harvestingmethods, weather, and plant characteristics all contribute to the amountof seed recovered.

The majority of the world's sesame is harvested manually. With manualnon-mechanized methods, it is desirable for the sesame seed to fallreadily from the plant. Upon physiological maturity, the sesame stalksare cut, tied into small bundles, and then stacked in shocks. Furtherharvesting procedures vary from country to country and from area to areawithin countries. Some move the shocks to a threshing floor so that theseed that falls out can be recovered. Others put plastic or cloth in thefields under the shocks to catch the seed. For manual harvesting methodsin which the dried, shocked sesame is moved to a threshing floor or overa plastic or cloth, preferred plant varieties include dehiscent, orsuper shattering, in which less than 10% of the seeds set are retainedin the capsule.

Other methods involve leaving the shocks in the fields, and when theshocks are dry, the sesame is turned upside down and struck with animplement to shake out all of the seed. For this type of manualharvesting method, it is preferred that plant varieties rated as“shattering” be used, wherein the capsule retains as much of the sesameseed as possible until the farmer inverts the stalk. Common methods ofmanual harvest are discussed in Weiss, E. A. “Sesame”, Oilseed crops(2^(nd) ed.), Chapter 5, Blackwell Science, Inc., Maiden, Mass., p.131-164 (2000).

In an effort to mechanize the harvest of sesame, D. G. Langhamintroduced the use of binders in Venezuela in 1944. The binders wereused to cut and bundle the sesame plants, manual labor was used to shockthe cut plants, and combines were brought in to thresh the shocks. Thismethodology is still used in Venezuela and Paraguay and is considered“semi-mechanized harvest” because it still requires some manual labor.It was determined that seed shattering during mechanized harvestingmethods caused considerable loss of sesame seed. While mechanization wasconsidered to be essential for crop production in the Westernhemisphere, the dehiscence of the sesame seed capsule was the principalobstacle to the widespread acceptance of sesame as a commercial crop.(Langham, D. G. 1949. “Improvement of Sesame in Venezuela,” ProceedingsFirst International Sesame Conference, Clemson Agricultural College,Clemson, S.C., pp. 74-79). As programs to introduce sesame production inthe United States in Arizona, South Carolina, Nebraska, Oklahoma, andTexas were initiated, mechanization was considered essential due to highlabor costs. Kalton, one of the Texas researchers, reported that theshattering nature of available strains was the main obstacle in completemechanization of the sesame crop. (Kalton, R. 1949. “Sesame, a promisingnew oilseed crop for Texas,” Proc First International Sesame Conference,Clemson Agricultural College, Clemson, S.C., pp. 62-66).

In 1943, D. G. Langham found a mutation on a sesame plant. Capsules didnot open on plants expressing this mutation. In succeeding generations,Langham showed that it was a recessive single gene which produced thisindehiscence, where all the seeds were retained inside the unopenedcapsule. While it was believed that indehiscence would solve the problemof seed loss on mechanized harvesting, it was found that the capsuleswere too tough to effectively release the seed. Many of the capsulespassed through a combine without opening. When more rigorous combiningwas attempted, an increase in efficiency of capsule opening was achievedbut at the expense of seed quality. Seeds were broken due to the morerigorous combine conditions, and the broken seeds released free fattyacids. Chemical reactions with free fatty acids led to rancidity andconcomitant undesirability of the harvested seed.

The indehiscent sesame varieties described above were used by variousplant breeders in an attempt to develop desirable sesame lines. Inaddition to traditional cross-breeding approaches, some attempted toalter the chromosome numbers through tetraploids and interspecificcrosses. Yermanos attempted to improve release of seed by increasing thelength of the capsule so that there would be more surface for thecombine to crack the capsules open (personal communication).Unfortunately, even with a small opening on the top of the capsule, ahigh percentage of broken seed was found on mechanized harvesting,preventing commercial use of this sesame line.

D. G. Langham reported in the late 1950's that the placenta attachmentbetween each sesame seed and the placenta was important in the retentionof seed in the capsule. He believed that he could improve the shatterresistance of sesame with increased placenta attachment but did notbelieve that all the seed could be retained in the capsule (Langham, D.G., Rodriguez, Maximo, and Reveron Esteban. 1956. “Dehiscencia y otrascaracteristicas del ajonjoli, Sesamum indicum L., en relacion con elproblema de la cosecha”, Genesa, Maracay, Venezuela, pp. 3-16). However,Yermanos reported that during capsule maturity, the placenta attachmentgradually weakens and is obliterated when the capsule is completelydesiccated. (Yermanos, D. M. 1980. “Sesame. Hybridization of cropplants,” Am Soc Agronomy-Crop Sci of America, pp. 549-563). Thus, itappeared that the placenta attachment would have little effect on seedretention in dry, mature capsules during harvesting. A seamless genewhich retained all the seed in the capsules was discovered by D. G.Langham and D. R. Langham in 1986. (Langham, D. R., “Shatter resistancein sesame”, In: L. Van Zanten (ed.), Sesame improvements by inducedmutations, Proc. Final FAO/IAEA Co-ord. Res. Mtng., IAEA, Vienna,TECDOC-1195, p. 51-61 (2001)). This was crossed with shattering types,and some progeny had an opening at the tip of the capsule. The seamlesscapsules were similar to the indehiscent capsules in that it was toodifficult to remove the seed from the capsule without damaging the seed.

In 1982, the first non-shattering line (retaining 50-70% of the seedsset) requiring no manual labor was introduced. This line could beharvested by swathing the sesame, leaving it to dry in the field, andthen picking it up by a combine. This methodology is fully mechanized,but it is rarely used because it uses two machines—one to swath and theother to combine. Although complete mechanization was achieved,extensive loss of seed due to adverse weather conditions continued tooccur. (Langham, D. R., 2001, supra).

Other varieties were developed between 1988 and 1997 which allowed fordirect combining which is the fully mechanized methodology that iscurrently used in the United States because it only requires onemachine. With these varieties there was 70-90% seed retention, butextensive loss of seed due to environmental factors such as wind andrain continued to occur. Lines that generally yielded 80% of the seedunder ideal conditions would yield only 45-65% under adverse conditions.Thus, while many of the crosses began to moderate the deleteriouseffects of mechanized harvesting, none were able to increase the yieldsto the level of manually harvesting shattering cultivars.

A breakthrough was accomplished when non-dehiscent (ND) sesame wasdeveloped and patented by Derald Ray Langham. ND sesame was found topossess the proper characteristics which would enable mechanicalharvesting without the seed loss disadvantages reported with priorvarieties.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452 which issued Aug. 8, 2000, disclosed a methodfor sesame breeding which resulted in non-dehiscent (ND) sesame lines.Sesaco 22 (S22), Sesaco 23 (S23), Sesaco 24 (S24), 19A, and 11W,representative seed having been deposited under ATCC accession numberPTA-1400, PTA-1401, PTA-1402, PTA-1399, and PTA-1398, respectively wereexamples of ND sesame lines which were made according to the claimedmethod. These sesame lines are characterized by their high degree ofseed retention within the capsule despite adverse weather conditionssuch as wind and rain and the retention of a sufficient amount of sesameseed during mechanized harvesting to be competitive with manualharvesting with minimization of seed breakage.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,815,576 which issued Nov. 9, 2004, disclosed anon-dehiscent sesame cultivar S25, representative seed having beendeposited under ATCC accession number PTA-4258. S25 is a stable,commercially suitable sesame line providing an early maturity cyclewhich extends the planting region to more northern latitudes andimproved resistance against common fungal diseases.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,781,031 which issued Aug. 24, 2004, disclosed anon-dehiscent sesame cultivar S26, representative seed having beendeposited under ATCC accession number PTA-4317. S26 is a stable,commercially suitable sesame line providing improved drought resistance,improved resistance against common fungal diseases, a larger seed, and alater maturity cycle which limits the planting region to more southernlatitudes.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,148,403 which issued Dec. 12, 2006, disclosed anon-dehiscent sesame cultivar S28, representative seed having beendeposited under ATCC accession number PTA-6008. S28 is a stable,commercially suitable sesame line providing improved resistance againstcommon fungal diseases, a comparably large seed, and an early maturitycycle which extends the planting region to more northern latitudes.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,332,652 which issued Feb. 19, 2008, disclosed anon-dehiscent sesame cultivar S29, representative seed having beendeposited under ATCC accession number PTA-6598. S29 is a stable,commercially suitable sesame line providing improved resistance againstcommon fungal diseases, improved yields, and an early maturity cyclewhich extends the planting region to more northern latitudes.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/041,257, filed Mar. 3, 2008discloses a method for breeding improved non-dehiscent sesame (IND).Through increased constriction, better adhesion between the falsemembranes, and improved placenta attachment, IND plants hold more seedthan prior sesame types, as measured four weeks after the crop was readyfor harvest (could have been combined).

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/041,205, filed Mar. 3, 2008discloses an improved non-dehiscent sesame cultivar S32, representativeseed having been deposited under ATCC accession number PTA-8888. S32 isa stable, commercially suitable sesame line providing improvednon-dehiscence, higher yield, and shorter drydown phase.

Herein disclosed is a sesame variety designated Sesaco 30 (S30), whichexhibits improved non-dehiscence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention comprises a seed of sesame varietydesignated Sesaco 30 (S30), a sample of said seed having been depositedunder ATCC Accession No. PTA-8887.

In another aspect, the invention comprises a sesame plant produced bygrowing the seed of sesame variety S30, a sample of said seed havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8887.

In yet another aspect, the invention comprises plant cells derived froma sesame plant, said plant produced by growing the seed of sesamevariety S30, a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCCAccession No. PTA-8887. The plant cells may be selected, for example,from pollen, tissue culture of regenerable cells, and asexuallyreproducing cultivars.

In yet another aspect, the invention comprises a sesame plant having allthe physiological and morphological characteristics of sesame varietyS30, a sample of the seed of said variety having been deposited underATCC Accession No. PTA-8887.

In another aspect, the invention comprises a sesame plant regeneratedfrom a tissue culture of regenerable cells produced from plant cellsderived from sesame variety S30, a sample of said seed having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8887, wherein said regeneratedsesame plant has all the physiological and morphological characteristicsof said sesame variety S30. The plant cells may be derived from S30seeds or plant cells from tissue from a sesame plant produced by growingthe seed of sesame variety S30.

In another aspect, the invention comprises a method of producing sesameseed, comprising crossing a first parent sesame plant with a secondparent sesame plant and harvesting the resultant sesame seed, whereinsaid first or second parent sesame plant was produced by growing seed ofsesame variety S30, a sample of said seed having been deposited underATCC Accession No. PTA-8887.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the lineage of S30.

FIG. 2 depicts a comparison of the percent of seed retention during inshaker shatter resistance testing from 1997 to 2006 for sesame varietiesreleased by Sesaco that have been used in direct harvest: Sesaco 11(S11) released in 1988-1996, Sesaco 15 (S15) released in 1991, Sesaco 16(S16) released in 1992-1996, Sesaco 17 (S17) released in 1994-2000,Sesaco 18 (S18) released in 1994-1996, Sesaco 19 (S19) released in1994-1995, Sesaco 20 (S20) released in 1995-1997, Sesaco 21 (S21)released in 1995-2001, Sesaco 22 (S22) released in 1997-1999, Sesaco 23(S23) released in 1998-2000, Sesaco 24 (S24) released in 1998-2004,Sesaco 25 (S25) released in 2001-2008, Sesaco 26 (S26) released in2002-2008, Sesaco 28 (S28) released in 2004-2008, Sesaco 29 (S29)released in 2005-2008, Sesaco 30, and Sesaco 32.

FIG. 3 depicts a comparison of the mean improved non-dehiscent visualrating from 2005 to 2007 for the current commercial varieties releasedby Sesaco.

FIG. 4 depicts a comparison of the composite kill resistance ratings inUvalde, Tex., and Lorenzo, Tex., in 2007 for the current commercialvarieties released by Sesaco.

FIG. 5 depicts a comparison of the mean days to physiological maturityfrom 2005 to 2007 for the current commercial varieties released bySesaco.

FIG. 6 depicts a comparison of the yield in Uvalde, Tex., and Lorenzo,Tex., in 2007 for the current commercial varieties released by Sesaco.

FIG. 7 depicts a comparison of the mean weight of 100 seeds in gramsfrom 1997 to 2006 for the varieties released by Sesaco that have beenused in direct harvest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Sesame plants have been studied for their response to seasonal andclimatic changes and the environment in which they live during thedifferent phases and stages of growth and development. This type ofstudy, called “phenology” has been documented by the inventor inLangham, D. R. 2007. “Phenology of sesame,” In: J. Janick and A. Whipkey(ed.), Issues in New Crops and New Uses, ASHS Press, Alexandria, Va.

Table I summarizes the phases and stages of sesame, and will be usefulin describing the present invention.

TABLE I Phases and stages of sesame Stage/Phase Abbreviation End pointof stage DAP^(z) No. weeks Vegetative VG Germination GR Emergence 0-5 1−Seedling SD 3^(rd) pair true leaf length = 2^(nd)  6-25 3− Juvenile JVFirst buds 26-37 1+ Pre-reproductive PP 50% open flowers 38-44 1−Reproductive RP Early bloom EB 5 node pairs of capsules 45-52 1 Midbloom MB Branches/minor plants 53-81 4 stop flowering Late bloom LB 90%of plants with no open 82-90 1+ flowers Ripening RI Physiologicalmaturity  91-106 2+ (PM) Drying DR Full maturity FM All seed mature107-112 1− Initial drydown ID 1^(st) dry capsules 113-126 2 Late drydownLD Full drydown 127-146 3 ^(z)DAP = days after planting. These numbersare based on S26 in 2004 Uvalde, Texas, under irrigation.

There are several concepts and terms that are used in this document thatshould be defined. In the initial drydown stage in Table I, the capsulesbegin to dry and open. This stage ends when 10% of the plants have oneor more dry capsules. The late drydown stage ends when the plants aredry enough so that upon harvest, the seed has a moisture of 6% or less.At this point some of the capsules have been dry for 5 weeks in theexample used in Table I, but in other environments for other varieties,the drying can stretch to 7 weeks. The “ideal harvest time” is at theend of the late drying stage. At this point, a combine (also sometimesreferred to as a combine harvester, a machine that combines the tasks ofharvesting, threshing, and cleaning grain crops) can be used to cut andthresh the plants and separate the seed from the undesired plantmaterial. However, at times, weather may prevent harvest at the idealtime. The plants may have to remain in the field for as much as anadditional four weeks, and in some cases even longer. Thus, time tocorresponds to the ideal harvest time and time t₁, which corresponds tothe time the grower actually harvests the sesame is a time later thantime to.

Sesame cultivar Sesaco 30 (hereinafter “S30”) is a variety whichexhibits Improved Non-Dehiscence (IND) characteristics and desirablecharacteristics which make it a commercially suitable sesame line. INDcharacteristics are defined in comparison to non-dehiscence (ND)characteristics first described and defined by the inventor in U.S. Pat.No. 6,100,452. Compared to ND sesame, IND sesame has more seed in thecapsules when measured between 4 and 9 weeks after the ideal harvesttime.

Without wishing to be bound by one particular theory, it is believedthat this increased amount of seed in the capsules is may be due to theS30 variety having the ability to better withstand adverse environmentalconditions such as inclement or harsh weather. Examples of adverseweather conditions as to which S30 has been subjected to in this regardare rain, fog, dew, and wind.

Filed and commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/041,257,filed Mar. 3, 2008 is herein incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein. This application discloses Improved Non-Dehiscent Sesameand the present invention. S30 is an example of a variety which resultedfrom breeding methods described therein.

S30 exhibits improved shatter resistance, acceptable resistance tocommon fungal diseases, and a maturity that allows a wide geographicalrange. Further, S30 exhibits higher yield in geographical locationsdesirable for sesame planting, and exhibits desirable seed size and seedcolor. S30 is suitable for planting in areas that have approximately a21° C. ground temperature when planted in the spring and nighttemperatures above 5° C. for normal termination. An exemplary desirablegeographical area for S30 is from South Texas at the Rio Grande tosouthern Kansas and from east Texas westward to elevations below 1,000meters. S30 also has performed well in California, New Mexico, andArizona.

Other exemplary areas are areas of the United States or of the worldwhich areas have similar climatic conditions and elevations.

The pedigree method of plant breeding was used to develop S30. Sesame isgenerally self-pollinated. Crossing is done using standard techniques asdelineated in Yermanos, D. M. 1980. “Sesame. Hybridization of cropplants,” Am Soc Agronomy-Crop Sci of America, pp. 549-563 and U.S. Pat.No. 6,100,452. Ashri provides an overview of sesame breeding in Ashri,A. (1998). “Sesame breeding,” Plant Breed. Rev. 16:179-228 and Ashri, A.2007. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). In: R. J. Singh, Ed., GeneticResources, Chromosome Engineering, and Crop Improvement, Vol. 4, OilseedCrops, p. 231-289, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., USA

The lineage of S30 is presented in FIG. 1. G8 (1) was a line obtainedfrom D. G. Langham in 1977 and first planted by Sesaco in the Kammannursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was a selection from the cultivar‘Guacara’ which D. G. Langham developed in Venezuela in the 1950s.Guacara was an initial selection from a cross that later produced one ofthe major varieties in Venezuela—Aceitera. Within Sesaco, G8 firstcarried the identifier X011 and was later changed to TG8.

111 (2) was a line obtained from the NPGS (PI173955) in 1979 and firstplanted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. NPGSobtained it in 1949 from W. N. Koelz, USDA, Beltsville, Md. who obtainedit from India. Within Sesaco, 111 first carried the identifier 0858 andwas then changed to X111. In 1985, a selection of this line becameSesaco 4 (S04).

191 (3) was a selection from 192 which was a line obtained from the M.L. Kinman in 1980 and first planted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery(Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The line was originally T61429-B-4-1-3 fromthe Kinman USDA sesame program, College Station, Tex., which had been incold storage at Ft. Collins, Colo. In 1997, the line was transferred tothe NPGS, Griffin, Ga. and given the identifier PI599462. Within Sesaco,192 first carried the identifier 1479 and then was changed to X191 andX193. In 1985, a selection from X193 became Sesaco 3 (S03) and aselection of X191 became Sesaco 7 (S07).

MEL (4) was a line obtained from Mel Tiezen in 1978 and first planted bySesaco in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. Mr. Tiezenobtained it from a farmer in Mexico. Within Sesaco, MEL first carriedthe identifier 0543 and was then changed to TMEL.

G54 (5) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation (D. G. Langham,Fallbrook, Calif.) in 1977 and first planted in the Kamman nursery(Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was obtained with the designator SF408. TheSesamum Foundation obtained it from John Martin in 1962. This line wasgiven to Mr. Martin by D. G. Langham. G54 was a selection from G53.48, across made by D. G. Langham in 1954 in Guacara, Venezuela. WithinSesaco, G54 carried the identifier 0408 and was then changed to TGS4.

193 (6) was a selection from 192 which was a line obtained from the M.L. Kinman in 1980 and first planted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery(Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The line was originally T61429-B-4-1-3 fromthe Kinman USDA sesame program, College Station, Tex., which had been incold storage at Ft. Collins, Colo. In 1997, the line was transferred tothe NPGS, Griffin, Ga. and given the identifier PI599462. Within Sesaco,192 first carried the identifier 1479 and then was changed to X191 andX193. In 1985, a selection from X193 became Sesaco 3 (S03) and aselection of X191 became Sesaco 7 (S07).

104 (7) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation (D. G. Langham,Fallbrook, Calif.) in 1977 and first planted in the Kamman nursery(Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was obtained with the designator SF084. TheSesamum Foundation obtained it from Maximo Rodriguez in 1961. He hadcollected it from Mexico where it was known as Instituto 8. Instituto 8was a selection from G53.48, a cross made by D. G. Langham in 1953 inGuacara, Venezuela. Within Sesaco, 104 carried the identifier 0084. In1983, a selection of this line became Sesaco 2 (S02).

192 (8) was a line obtained from the M. L. Kinman in 1980 and firstplanted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. Theline was originally T61429-B-4-1-3 from the Kinman USDA sesame program,College Station, Tex., which had been in cold storage at Ft. Collins,Colo. In 1997, the line was transferred to the NPGS, Griffin, Ga. andgiven the identifier PI599462. Within Sesaco, 192 first carried theidentifier 1479 and then was changed to X191 and X193. In 1985, aselection from X193 became Sesaco 3 (S03) and a selection of X191 becameSesaco 7 (S07).

118 (9) was a line obtained from the NGPS (PI425944) in 1979 and firstplanted in Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. The NGPS obtained itin 1978 from P. F. Knowles, University of California, Davis, Calif., whocollected it in Pakistan. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier 1118and then changed to X118 and then to T118.

700 (10) was a line obtained from the NPGS (PI292144) in 1979 and firstplanted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. NPGSobtained it in 1963 from Hybritech Seed International, a unit ofMonsanto, U.S., which obtained it from Israel. In viewing this materialin 1986, A. Ashri of Israel concluded that it was an introduction toIsrael. The material is similar to introductions from India andPakistan. Within Sesaco, 700 first carried the identifier 0700 and waslater changed to T700.

702 (11) was a line obtained from the NGPS (PI292146) in 1979 and firstplanted in Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The NGPS obtained itin 1963 from Hybritech Seed International, a unit of Monsanto, U.S.,which obtained it from Israel. In viewing this material in 1986, A.Ashri of Israel concluded that it was an introduction to Israel. Thematerial is similar to introductions from the Indian subcontinent.Within Sesaco, it has carried the identifier 0702 and then changed toX702 and then to X702C. In 1986, a selection from X702C became Sesaco 12(S12).

111X (12) was an outcross in the 111 (2) plot BT0458 in the Nickersonnursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifierE0745 and later changed to T111X.

96B (13) was an outcross in the 191 (3) in plot 4637 in the McElhaneynursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1983. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier E0690 which later became X196B and was later changed to T96B.

B043 (14) was a cross made by Sesaco between G8 (1) and MEL (4) in theKamman nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1978. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier B043.

F853 (15) was a cross made by Sesaco between 104 (15) and 192 (8) in theNickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier F853.

F822 (16) was a cross made by Sesaco between 111 (2) and 192 (8) in theNickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier F822.

804 (17) was a cross made by Sesaco between G8 (1) and 111X (12) in theNickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it has carriedthe identifier F804; in 1988, a selection of this line became Sesaco 11(S11).

S11 (18) was a cross made by Sesaco between G8 (1) and 111X (12) in theNickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it has carriedthe identifier F804; in 1988, a selection of this line became Sesaco II(S11).

C063 (19) was a cross made by Sesaco between B043 (14) and G54 (5) inthe Kamman nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1979. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier C063.

F820 (20) was a cross made by Sesaco between 111X (12) and 104 (7) inthe Nickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it carriedthe identifier F820.

562 (21) was a cross made by Sesaco between F822 (16) and 700 (10) inthe McElhaney nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1983. Within Sesaco, it firstcarried the identifier G8562 and was later changed to T562.

K0338 (22) was a cross made by Sesaco between 804 (17) and 96B (13) inthe Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1986. Within Sesaco, it carriedthe identifier K0338.

233 (23) was a cross made by Sesaco between C063 (19) and 193 (6) in theHancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it firstcarried the identifier H6233 and was later changed to T233.

578 (24) was a cross made by Sesaco between F820 (20) and F853 (15) inthe McElhaney nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1983. Within Sesaco, it firstcarried the identifier G8578 and was later changed to T578.

56B (25) was a cross made by Sesaco between 804 (17) and 562 (21) in theWright nursery (Tacna, Ariz.) in 1987. Within Sesaco, it first carriedthe identifier KAN00 and was later changed to X56B and then to T56B.

L6651 (26) was a cross made by Sesaco between 72C (11) and 804 (17) inthe Wright nursery (Tacna, Ariz.) in 1987. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier L6651.

ZSA (27) was a cross made by Sesaco between K0338 (22) and S11 (18) inthe Yuma greenhouse (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1986. Within Sesaco, it firstcarried the identifier KAC22 and was later changed to XZSA and then toTZSA.

031 (28) was a cross made by Sesaco between 578 (24) and 118 (9) in theRamsey nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier H0031 and then changed to T031.

2CA (29) was a cross made by Sesaco between L6651 (26) and S11 (18) inthe Wright nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1988. Within Sesaco, it has carriedthe identifier LCX02 and later changed to X2CA and then to T2CA.

SAA (30) was a cross made by Sesaco between ZSA (27) and 233 (23) in theSharp nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1989. Within Sesaco, it has carried theidentifier PE046 and later changed to XSAA and then to TSAA.

2CB (31) was a cross made by Sesaco between 56B (25) and 2CA (29) in theGilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) in 1992. Within Sesaco, it has carriedthe identifier AG729 and later changed to X2CB and then to T2CB.

13H (32) was a cross made by Sesaco between SAA (27) and 031 (28) in theGilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) in 1994. Within Sesaco, it has carriedthe identifier CM413 and later changed to X13H and then to T13H.

S30 (33) was obtained with the following method. A cross between 13H(32) and 2CB (31) was made in Year 1 (hereinafter “Year” is abbreviatedas “YR”) and designated GD038.

The resulting seed (D038) was planted in a greenhouse in YR1-YR2.

The seed from this plant (E365) was planted in a plot (7105) in YR2.Eight individual plants were selected based on having a capsule zonemuch longer than the 13H parent, and the line was segregating capsulelength.

The seed (7503) from one of the plants was planted in a plot (4477) inYR3. Twelve individual plants were selected based on very good droughtresistance, numerous capsules, and seed very close to the top.

The designator was changed to X3HD. The seed (2642) from one of theplants was planted in plot 8071 in YR4. Two individual plants wereharvested based on having a low first capsule, even though they did notexhibit high yield.

The seed from a shaker shatter resistance test as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,100,452 of the 2 individuals (R2151) was planted in YR5. The testplot was accessed by deer which destroyed much of it, but two individualplants survived and were used for further work.

The seed (4651) from one of the plants was planted in plot 0054 in YR6.Two plants were selected based on a good capsule gap, even after beingsubjected to hurricane-force winds, numerous capsules and good killresistance.

The seed (4282) from one of the plants were planted in buffer plot WH47in YR7. A bulk of 75 plants was selected based on having good yield inthe Lubbock, Tex. area, numerous capsules, good lodging and shatterresistance when tested in late December. Commercially, plots would havebeen harvested in early October.

The seed (0621) was planted in strip VE77n in YR8. Most of the plantswere selected for a commercial testing.

The seed (3HDGW) was tested in YR9 under farm conditions. The field wascombined and this seed designated as S30.

The designator was changed to X3HD. The seed (2679) from one of theplants was planted in another plot A508 in YR4. A bulk of 6 plants wasselected based on having an acceptable plant height, more nodes, andbeing better than the 13H parent in terms of main stem and branches.

The seed (3773) from the bulk was planted in plot 0471 YR5. A bulk of 10plants was selected based on being equal to a sister plot with goodyield.

The seed (6477) from the bulk was planted in plot 1686 in YR6. Threeindividual plants were selected based on low, good lodging resistanceafter the hurricane, weather shatter resistance, and being better thanmost of the plots in that part of the nursery.

The seed (1686) from one of the plants were planted in buffer plot 0314in YR7. A bulk of 17 plants was selected based on being a sister plantof a plot with very good yield with the plot itself being one of thebetter plots in the area. This plot was segregating branched and uniculmplants and the uniculm plants were selected. The uniculm character isrecessive and thus from this point forward the plants were uniculm. Thedesignator was changed to X3HX.

The seed (0643) from the bulk was planted in strip VE64n in YR8. Most ofthe plants were selected in bulk for an increase.

The seed (3HXGW) was planted in strip VC01 in YR9. Most of the plantswere selected for a commercial testing.

The seed (3HX00) was tested in YR10 under farm conditions. The field wascombined and this seed designated as S30.

Along with breeding programs, tissue culture of sesame is currentlybeing practiced in such areas of the world as Korea, Japan, China,India, Sri Lanka and the United States. One of ordinary skill in the artmay utilize sesame plants grown from tissue culture as parental lines inthe production of non-dehiscent sesame. Further IND sesame may bepropagated through tissue culture methods. By means well known in theart, sesame plants can be regenerated from tissue culture having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of the source plant.

The present invention includes the seed of sesame variety S30 depositedunder ATCC Accession No. PTA-8887; a sesame plant or parts thereofproduced by growing the seed deposited under ATCC Accession No.PTA-8887; any sesame plant having all the physiological andmorphological characteristics of sesame variety S30; any sesame plantall the physiological and morphological characteristics of a sesameplant produced by growing the seed deposited under ATCC Accession No.PTA-8887. The present invention also includes a tissue culture ofregenerable cells produced from the seed having been deposited underATCC Accession No. PTA-8887 or a tissue culture of regenerable cellsfrom sesame variety S30 or a part thereof produced by growing the seedof sesame variety S30 having been deposited under ATCC Accession No.PTA-8887. A sesame plant regenerated from a tissue culture ofregenerable cells produced from the seed having been deposited underATCC Accession No. PTA-8887 or from sesame variety S30, wherein theregenerated sesame plant has all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of sesame variety S30 is also contemplated by thepresent invention. Methods of producing sesame seed, comprising crossinga first parent sesame plant with a second parent sesame plant, whereinthe first or second parent sesame plant was produced by seed having beendeposited under ATCC Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-8887 is part ofthe present invention.

Unless otherwise stated, as used herein, the term plant includes plantcells, plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which sesameplants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, plant cells thatare intact in plants, or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen,ovules, flowers, capsules, stems, leaves, seeds, roots, root tips, andthe like. Further, unless otherwise stated, as used herein, the termprogeny includes plants derived from plant cells, plant protoplasts,plant cell tissue cultures from which sesame plants can be regenerated,plant calli, plant clumps, plant cells that are intact in plants, orparts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, flowers, capsules,stems, leaves, seeds, roots, root tips, and the like.

Sesame cultivar S30 has been tested experimentally over several yearsunder various growing conditions ranging from South Texas to NorthernTexas. Sesame cultivar S30 has shown uniformity and stability within thelimits of environmental influence for the characters listed in Table IIbelow. Table II provides the name, definition, and rating scale of eachcharacter as well as the method by which the character is measured.Under the rating section, the rating for S30 is presented in bold text.Additionally, the distribution of the character in Sesaco's sesamedevelopment program is indicated under the rating section. Sesaco usesslightly different character specifications from “Descriptors forsesame”, AGP:IBPGR/80/71, IBPGR Secretariat, Rome, (1981) and from theform “Sesame (Sesamum indicum)”, U.S. Department of Agriculture PlantVariety Protection Office, Beltsville, Md. The descriptors in thosedocuments were developed in the early 1980s and have not been updated toincorporate new concepts in sesame data collection.

Table II provides characteristics of S30 for forty-three (43) traits.Numerical ratings and values reported in this table were experimentallydetermined for S30 with prior sesame varieties in side by sidereplicated trials. Actual numerical values and ratings for a givenvariety will vary according to the environment, and the values andratings provided in Table II were obtained in the environment specifiedin the parenthetical following the S30 rating. Table V provides a directcomparison between the new S30 variety and the prior varieties thusdemonstrating the relative differences between the varieties in the sideby side trials.

TABLE II Characters Distinguishing the S30 Line Character RatingMethodology (1) BRANCHING S30 = U The amount of branching on any STYLE(All crops, all nurseries) particular plant depends on the space Thepotential amount of Subjective rating based on around the plant. In highpopulations, true branching in a line the following values: branchingcan be suppressed. This rating U = Uniculm - no should be based onpotential as expressed branching except weak on end plants and plants inthe open. branches in open True branches start in the leaf axil B = Truebranches below the first flower, and they begin to Distribution withinSesaco emerge before the first open flower. As based on stable lines inlong as there is light into the leaf axils, the crossing program inthere will be additional branches that start 1982-2001 (Total numberbelow the first branches in subsequently of samples tested = 1,333)lower nodes. Weak branches occur when U = 42.4% a plant is in the open.They develop in the B = 57.6% lowest nodes and subsequent branches startat higher nodes. There are lines that will not branch in anycircumstance. Some lines in the open will put on spontaneous brancheslate in the cycle. True and weak branches do not have a capsule in thesame leaf axil, whereas the spontaneous branches form under the capsuleafter the capsule has formed. Spontaneous branches are not counted asbranches. There are rare lines where the flowering pattern is to put onflowers on lower nodes late in the cycle. In this case, the capsule isformed after the branch is developed. This pattern should not be termedspontaneous branching, and the branch is normally counted as a truebranch. There are branched lines that have secondary branches on thebranches. In a few cases, there can be tertiary branches. Additionalbranches generally appear in low populations. COMMENTS: the effects oflight appear to have more of an effect on branching than moisture andfertility. High populations suppress branching. (2) NUMBER OF S30 = 1Rating can be taken from about 60 days CAPSULES PER LEAF (All crops, allnurseries) after planting through to the end of the AXIL Subjectiverating based on crop. The predominant the following values: NUMBER OFCAPSULES PER LEAF number of capsules per 1 = Single AXIL is highlydependent on moisture, leaf axil in the middle 3 = Triple fertility, andlight. In triple capsule lines, the half of the capsule zone Based onpotential as central capsule forms first, and axillary described in themethodology capsules follow a few days later. Triple presented hereincapsule lines have the potential to put on Distribution within Sesacoaxillaries, but will not do so if plants do not based on stable lines inhave adequate moisture and/or fertility. In the crossing program indrought conditions, some triple capsule 1982-2001 (Total number lineswill produce only a central capsule for of samples tested = 1,327) manynodes. In these lines, when there is 1 = 58.3% adequate moisture throughrain or irrigation, 3 = 41.7% some will add axillary capsules on onlynew nodes, while others will add axillary capsules to all nodes. Sometriple capsule lines will not put on axillary capsules if there is nodirect sunlight on the leaf axil. To date, lines with single capsuleshave nectaries next to the central capsule in the middle of the capsulezone while triple capsules do not. However, some lines have what appearto be nectaries on the lower capsules of triple lines, but upon closeexamination, they are buds which may or may not eventually develop intoa flower and then a capsule. In most triple capsule lines, the lower andupper nodes have single capsules. There are some lines where the endplants can put on 5 capsules/leaf axil and a few that have the potentialto put on 7 capsules/leaf axil. 5 and 7 capsules only appear with openplants with high moisture and fertility. In some environments, singlecapsule lines will put on multiple capsules on 1 node and rarely on upto 5 nodes. These lines are not considered triple capsule lines. (3)MATURITY CLASS S30 = M for 98 days The basis for this data point is DAYSThe maturity of a line in (Uvalde nursery^(a,) 2005-2007) TOPHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY relation to a standard Subjective rating based on(Character No. 29). S24 is the standard line. Currently, the thefollowing values: line to be used to compute MATURITY standard line isS26 at V = Very early (<85 days) CLASS. In 1998-2001, the maturity ofS24 100 days E = Early (85-94 days) averaged 95 days in the Uvalde, TX,M = Medium (95-104 nursery. Through 2006, the standard was days)adjusted using S24. As S24 was phased L = Late (105-114 days) out ofcommercial planting, a new standard T = Very late (>114 days) needed tobe established, and S26 was Distribution within Sesaco selected. In2001-2006 S26 averaged 5 based on stable lines in days longer than S24.For each line, the the crossing program in physiological maturity foreach year is 1998-2001 (Total number subtracted by the S26 maturity forthat of samples tested = 650) year in that nursery, and then the numberV = 1.2% of days of difference is averaged. The E = 26.8% average isthen added to 100. M = 56.2% See DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL L = 12.9%MATURITY (Character No. 29) for the T = 2.9% effects of the environmenton MATURITY CLASS. (4) PLANT S32 = U1M The first character is theBRANCHING PHENOTYPE (All crops; all nurseries) STYLE (Character No. 1),followed by the A three character Subjective rating based on NUMBER OFCAPSULES PER LEAF designation that the following values: AXIL (CharacterNo. 2), and then the provides the branching BRANCHING STYLE MATURITYCLASS (Character No. 3). style, number of U = Uniculm - no When thesecharacters are placed in a capsules per leaf axil, branching except weakmatrix, there are 20 potential phenotypes. and the maturity classbranches in open The phenotype provides an overview of B = True branchesthe general appearance of the plant. There NUMBER OF CAPSULES is a veryhigh correlation between PER LEAF AXIL MATURITY CLASS and HEIGHT OF 1 =Single PLANT (Character No. 5). 3 = Triple MATURITY CLASS V = Very early(<85 days) E = Early (85-94 days) M = Medium (95-104 days) L = Late(105-114 days) T = Very late (>114 days) Distribution within Sesacobased on stable lines in the crossing program in 1998-2001 (Total numberof samples tested = 650) U1V = 0% U3V = 1.1% U1E = 3.8% U3E = 8.3% U1M =16.0% U3M = 12.0% U1L = 3.4% U3L = 2.2% U1T = 0.5% U3T = 0.6% B1V = 0%B3V = 0.2% B1E = 8.0% B3E = 6.3% B1M = 23.2% B3M = 4.8% B1L = 6.5% B3L =1.0% B1T = 1.6% B3T = 0.4% (5) HEIGHT OF PLANT S30 = 142 cm Themeasurement is made after the The height of the plant (Uvalde nursery,2007) plants stop flowering. For plants that are from the ground to theValue based on an the not erect or have lodged, the plant should top ofthe highest average of a minimum of be picked up for the measurement. Inmost capsule with viable three plants (unit of lines the highest capsuleis on the main seed measure: cm) stem. In lines with the dt/dt allelesDistribution within Sesaco (determinate), the highest capsule is onbased on stable lines in the branches. the crossing program in COMMENTS:this height is dependent 1999-2001 (Total number on the amount ofmoisture, heat, fertility, of samples tested = 2274) and population.Increased values generally low = 56 cm; high = 249 cm increase theheight. In a high population, 1 = <94.6 cm; 5.2% the height will onlyincrease if there is 2 = <133.2 cm; 34.6% adequate fertility andmoisture; otherwise, 3 = <171.8 cm; 54.9% the height will be shorter. Inlow light 4 = <210.4 cm; 5.1% intensities, the heights are generallytaller. 5 = >210.3 cm; 0.1% avg. = 134.8 cm, std = 23.5 6) HEIGHT OFFIRST S30 = 52 cm The measurement is made after the CAPSULE (Uvaldenursery, 2007) plants stop flowering. For plants that are The height ofthe first Value based on an the not erect or have lodged, the plantshould capsule from the average of a minimum of be picked up for themeasurement. In most ground to the bottom of three plants (unit oflines, the lowest capsule is on the main the lowest capsule on measure:cm) stem. True branches have capsules higher the main stem Distributionwithin Sesaco than on the main stem except when the based on stablelines in flowers fall off the main stem. the crossing program inOccasionally, on weak branches, the 1999-2001 (Total number lowestcapsule is on the branches. of samples tested = 2274) There are linesthat flower in the lower low = 20 cm; high = 193 cm nodes late in thecycle, and, thus, the 1 = <54.6 cm; 52.7% measure-ment should be takenafter 2 = <89.2 cm; 45.5% flowering ends. In many lines the first 3 =<123.8 cm; 1.5% flower does not make a capsule, and, thus, 4 = <158.4cm; 0.3% this height may not be the same as the 5 = >158.3 cm; 0.1%height of the first flower. The height is avg. = 54.2 cm, std = 14.3correlated to the length of time to flowering, the earlier the lower theheight. COMMENTS: see HEIGHT OF PLANT (Character No. 5) for effects ofenvironmental factors (7) CAPSULE ZONE S30 = 90 cm The measurement isderived by LENGTH (Uvalde nursery, 2007) subtracting the HEIGHT OF FIRSTThe length of the Value based on an CAPSULE (Character No. 6) from thecapsule zone. The the average of a HEIGHT OF PLANT (Character No. 5).capsule zone extends minimum of three COMMENTS: see HEIGHT OF PLANT fromthe bottom of the plants (unit of (Character No. 5) for effects oflowest capsule on the measure: cm) environmental factors main stem tothe top of Distribution within Sesaco the highest capsule on based onstable lines in the main stem. the crossing program in 1999-2001 (Totalnumber of samples tested = 2274) low = 18 cm; high = 188 cm 1 = <52 cm;4.7% 2 = <86 cm; 53.5% 3 = <120 cm; 41.3% 4 = <154 cm; 0.5% 5 = >153.9cm; 0.1% avg. = 80.6 cm, std = 17.2 (8) NUMBER OF S30 = 31 The count ismade after the plants stop CAPSULE NODES (Uvalde nursery, 2007)flowering. On opposite and alternate The number of capsule Value basedon an the arranged leaves, each pair of leaves is nodes from the lowestaverage of a minimum of counted as one node. In some lines, therecapsule node to the three plants (unit of are three leaves per node forat least part highest node with measure: number) of the plant. In someplants, flowers may capsules with viable Distribution within Sesaco nothave produced capsules on one or seed on the main stem based on stablelines in more of the leaf axils in a node. These of the plant thecrossing program in nodes should still be counted. Nodes on 1999-2001(Total number the branches are not counted. of samples tested = 2154) Inyears when the amount of moisture low = 10; high = 54 available to theplant is irregular, nodes 1 = <18.8; 17.9% can become very irregular,particularly on 2 = <27.6; 48.3% triple capsule lines. In the upperportions of 3 = <36.4; 29.5% the plant, it may become easier to count 4= <45.2; 3.6% the capsule clusters and divide by 2. While 5 = >45.1;0.7% it is possible to count nodes after leaves avg. = 25.3, std = 6.4have fallen, it is much easier to count while the leaves are still onthe plant. COMMENTS: the number of nodes is dependent on the amount ofmoisture and fertility. Higher moisture and fertility increases thenumber of nodes. (9) AVERAGE S30 = 2.9 cm Divide the CAPSULE ZONE LENGTHINTERNODE LENGTH (Uvalde nursery, 2007) (Character No. 7) by the NUMBEROF WITHIN CAPSULE Value based on an the CAPSULE NODES (Character No. 8).ZONE average of a minimum of COMMENTS: this length is dependent Theaverage internode three plants (unit of on the amount of moisture,fertility, and length within the measure: cm) population. Increasedvalues generally capsule zone Distribution within Sesaco increase thelength. In a high population, based on stable lines in the length willonly increase if there is the crossing program in adequate fertility andmoisture; otherwise 1999-2001 (Total number the length will be shorter.In low light of samples tested = 2145) intensities, the lengths aregenerally low = 1.09 cm; high = 8.09 cm longer. 1 = <2.49 cm; 6.2% Pastmethodologies have measured the 2 = <3.89 cm; 74.6% internode length atthe middle of the 3 = <5.29 cm; 18.6% capsule zone. Some have measuredit at 4 = <6.69 cm; 0.4% the median node and others at the median 5= >6.68 cm; 0.1% CAPSULE ZONE LENGTH. avg. = 3.35 cm, std = 0.66 (10)YIELD AT S30 = 1,386 kg/ha On 3 replicated plots, when the plantsDRYDOWN (Uvalde nursery, 2007) are dry enough for direct harvest, cut aAn extrapolation of the S30 = 1,204 kg/ha minimum of 1/5000 of a hectare(Sesaco yield of a field by taking (Lorenzo nursery, 2007)^(b) uses1/2620) in the plot and place the sample yields Values based on theplants in a cloth bag. Thresh the sample in average of a minimum of aplot thresher and weigh the seed. three replications (unit of Multiplythe weight by the appropriate measure: kg/ha) multiplier based on areataken to provide Distribution within Sesaco the extrapolated yield inkg/ha. based on stable lines in In the Almaco thresher there is aboutthe crossing program in 3% trash left in the seed. Since yields are1999-2001 (Total number comparative, there is no cleaning of the ofsamples tested = 1828) seed done before the computation. If other low =67 kg/ha threshers have more trash, the seed high = 2421 kg/ha should becleaned before weighing. 1 = <537.8 kg/ha; 5.6% COMMENTS: yieldsincrease with 2 = <1008.6 kg/ha; 15.6% moisture and fertility. However,too high a 3 = <1479.4 kg/ha; 51.5% moisture can lead to killing ofplants. Too 4 = <1950.2 kg/ha; 25.8% high fertility can lead to extravegetative 5 = >1950.1 kg/ha; 1.4% growth that may not lead to higheryields. avg. = 1114.6 kg/ha, The optimum population depends on the std =331.2 PLANT PHENOTYPE, Character No. 4 (BRANCHING STYLE, Character No.1; NUMBER OF CAPSULES PER LEAF AXIL, Character No. 2; and MATURITYCLASS, Character No. 3) and row width. (11) RESISTANCE TO S30 No datacollected In a year when there is a drought, this DROUGHT Average of aminimum of rating can be used to differentiate the The relative amountof three plots of a subjective effects of the different lines. This is aresistance to drought rating based on the highly subjective ratingrequiring a rater following values: that is familiar with theperformance of the 0 to 8 scale line under normal conditions. The ratingis 7 = Little effect from based on how the drought changes the droughtline from normal. Thus, a short line that 4 = Medium effect from doesnot change significantly in a drought drought may have a higher ratingthan a tall line 1 = Considerable effect which is affected by thedrought even from drought though the taller line is taller in thedrought Intermediate values are than the short line. used. Distributionwithin Sesaco based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2000(Total number of samples tested = 632) low = 0; high = 8 1 = <1.6; 0.8%2 = <3.2; 28.0% 3 = <4.8; 36.1% 4 = <6.4; 34.5% 5 = >6.3; 0.6% avg. =4.1, std = 1.2 (12) LEAF LENGTH S30 = 23.4 cm at 5^(th) Select one leafper node to measure The length of the leaf node; 19.7 cm at 10^(th) fromthe 5^(th), 10^(th), and 15^(th) node pairs from blade from the base ofnode; 16.1 cm at 15^(th) the base of the plant. All the leaves for onethe petiole to the apex node (Lorenzo nursery, line should be collectedat the same time. of the leaf from the 5^(th), 2006) Some lines retainthe cotyledons, and the 10^(th), and 15^(th) node Value based on an thecotyledon node does not count as a node pairs average of a minimum ofpair. In some lines the lowest leaves three plants (unit of absciseleaving a scar on the stem. measure: cm) Abscised nodes should becounted. In Distribution within Sesaco lines with alternate leaves, onenode is for 5^(th) leaf based on stable counted for each pair of leaves.In some lines in the crossing lines in parts of the plant there arethree program in 2002 (Total leaves per node which should be countednumber of lines tested = 196 as one node. with 711 samples) The leavescontinue growing in the first low = 13.8 cm; high = 42.5 cm few daysafter they have separated from 1 = <19.5 cm; 34.7% the growing tip. Thechoosing of leaves 2 = <25.3 cm; 48.0% should be done a minimum of 5days after 3 = <31.0 cm; 14.3% the 15^(th) node has appeared. Timing is4 = <36.8 cm; 1.5% important, because the plants will begin to 5 = >36.7cm; 1.5% shed their lower leaves towards the end of avg. = 21.5 cm, std= 4.4 their cycle. Distribution within Sesaco There are lines that haveless than 15 for 10^(th) leaf based on nodes. In this case, the highestnode stable lines in the crossing should be taken and the node numberprogram in 2002 (Total annotated to the measurements. number of linestested = 196 There can be as much as 6 mm with 711 samples) differencebetween a green leaf and a dry low = 9.3 cm; high = 32.9 cm leaf. Themeasurements can be done on a 1 = <14.0 cm; 22.4% green or dry leaf aslong as any 2 = <18.7 cm; 41.8% comparison data with other lines isbased 3 = <23.5 cm; 20.9% on the same method. 4 = <28.2 cm; 10.2%Generally, the lowest leaves increase in 5 = >28.1 cm; 4.6% size untilthe 4^(th) to 6^(th) node and then they avg. = 17.9 cm, std = 4.8decrease in size. This applies to LEAF Distribution within Sesaco LENGTH(Character No. 12), LEAF for 15^(th) leaf based on BLADE WIDTH(Character No. 14), and stable lines in the crossing PETIOLE LENGTH(Character No. 15). In program in 2002 (Total few cases, LEAF BLADELENGTH number of lines tested = 196 Character No. 13) can increase upthe 10^(th) with 711 samples) node, but will decrease by the 15^(th)node. low = 4.4 cm; high = 26.2 cm Generally, the width will decrease ata 1 = <8.8 cm; 5.1% greater rate than the length. 2 = <13.1 cm; 42.9%COMMENTS: the length is dependent 3 = <17.5 cm; 29.8% on the amount ofmoisture and fertility. 4 = <21.8 cm; 15.8% Higher moisture andfertility increase the 5 = >21.7 cm; 6.6% length. Leaf size also appearsto be avg. = 14.3 cm, std = 4.2 affected by light intensity. In Korea,the Korean lines have much larger leaves than in Oklahoma. In Korea,there is more cloud cover and a general haze than in Oklahoma. (13) LEAFBLADE S30 = 14.3 cm at 5^(th) See LEAF LENGTH (Character No. 12) LENGTHnode; 15.0 cm at 10^(th) on how to collect leaves. There are many Thelength of the leaf node; 13.2 cm at 15^(th) leaves that are notsymmetrical with blade from the base of node (Lorenzo nursery, lobbingon one side and not the other. The the leaf blade to the 2006) widthshould still be measured across the apex of the leaf from Value based onan the widest point on a line perpendicular to the the 5^(th), 10^(th),and 15^(th) average of a minimum of main vein of the leaf node pairsthree plants (unit of On some lines the width exceeds the measure: cm)length, particularly on lobed leaves. Distribution within sesacoCOMMENTS: see LEAF LENGTH for 5^(th) leaf based on stable (Character No.12) for effects of lines in the crossing environment program in 2002(Total The widest leaves are lobed. Normally, number of lines tested =196 the leaves have turned from lobed to with 711 samples) lanceolate bythe 10^(th) leaf with the low = 9.0 cm; high = 25.5 cm exception of thetropical lines. 1 = <12.3 cm; 14.3% 2 = <15.6 cm; 60.2% 3 = <18.9 cm;20.9% 4 = <22.2 cm; 3.1% 5 = >22.1 cm; 1.5% avg. = 14.4 cm, std = 2.4Distribution within Sesaco for 10^(th) leaf based on stable lines in thecrossing program in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711samples) low = 8.3 cm; high = 23.4 cm 1 = <11.3 cm; 18.9% 2 = <14.3 cm;42.9% 3 = <17.4 cm; 25.0% 4 = <20.4 cm; 9.2% 5 = >20.3 cm; 4.1% avg. =13.9 cm, std = 3.0 Distribution within Sesaco for 15^(th) leaf based onstable lines in the crossing program in 2002 (Total number of linestested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 4.2 cm; high = 20.7 cm 1 = <7.5 cm;2.0% 2 = <10.8 cm; 36.7% 3 = <14.1 cm; 37.8% 4 = <17.4 cm; 16.3% 5= >17.3 cm; 7.1% avg. = 12.0 cm, std = 3.0 (14) LEAF BLADE S30 = 10.8 cmat 5^(th) See LEAF LENGTH (Character No. 12) WIDTH node; 4.1 cm at10^(th) node; on how to collect leaves. There are many The width of theleaf 1.8 cm at 15^(th) node leaves that are not symmetrical with blademeasured across (Lorenzo nursery, 2006) lobbing on one side and not theother. The the leaf blade at the Value based on an the width shouldstill be measured across the widest point at the 5^(th), average of aminimum of widest point on a line perpendicular to the 10^(th), and15^(th) node three plants (unit of main vein of the leaf. pairs measure:cm) On some lines the width exceeds the Distribution within Sesacolength, particularly on lobed leaves. for 5^(th) leaf based on stableCOMMENTS: see LEAF LENGTH lines in the crossing (Character No. 12) foreffects of program in 2002 (Total environment number of lines tested =196 The widest leaves are lobed. Normally, with 711 samples) the leaveshave turned from lobed to low = 3.4 cm; high = 31.0 cm lanceolate by the10^(th) leaf with the 1 = <8.9 cm; 53.1% exception of the tropicallines. 2 = <14.4 cm; 33.7% 3 = <20.0 cm; 9.7% 4 = <25.5 cm; 2.6% 5= >25.4 cm; 1.0% avg. = 9.6 cm, std = 4.3 Distribution within Sesaco for10^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002(Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 1.3 cm; high= 17.6 cm 1 = <4.6 cm; 69.4% 2 = <7.8 cm; 25.0% 3 = <11.1 cm; 4.6% 4 =<14.3 cm; 0% 5 = >14.2 cm; 1.0% avg. = 4.3 cm, std = 2.2 Distributionwithin Sesaco for 15^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossingprogram in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples)low = 0.7 cm; high = 6.0 cm 1 = <1.8 cm; 29.1% 2 = <2.8 cm; 48.0% 3 =<3.9 cm; 15.3% 4 = <4.9 cm; 4.6% 5 = >4.8 cm; 3.1% avg. = 2.3 cm, std =0.9 (15) PETIOLE LENGTH S30 = 9.1 cm at 5^(th) node; See LEAF BLADELENGTH (Character The length of the 4.7 cm at 10^(th) node; 2.9 cm No.13) on how to collect leaves. In some petiole from the base of at15^(th) node (Lorenzo leaves, the blade on one side of the petiole thepetiole to the start nursery, 2006) starts before the other side. Thismeasure of the leaf blade at the Value based on an the should end wherethe earliest blade starts. 5^(th), 10^(th), and 15^(th) node average ofa minimum of There are leaves that have enations where pairs. threeplants (unit of a blade starts and then stops. The measure: cm) enationsare not considered part of the leaf Distribution within Sesaco bladebecause they are very irregular from for 5^(th) leaf based on stableplant to plant and within a plant and should lines in the crossing bemeasured as part of the petiole program in 2002 (Total COMMENTS: seeLEAF LENGTH number of lines tested = 196 (Character No. 12) for effectsof with 711 samples) environment low = 3.0 cm; high = 17.0 cm 1 = <5.8cm; 35.2% 2 = <8.6 cm; 39.8% 3 = <11.4 cm; 19.4% 4 = <14.2 cm; 4.1% 5= >14.1 cm; 1.5% avg. = 7.0 cm, std = 2.5 Distribution within Sesaco for10^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002(Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 1.0 cm; high= 14.2 cm 1 = <3.6 cm; 53.6% 2 = <6.3 cm; 31.6% 3 = <8.9 cm; 11.7% 4 =<11.6 cm; 2.0% 5 = >11.5 cm; 1.0% avg. = 4.0 cm, std = 2.1 Distributionwithin Sesaco for 15^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossingprogram in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples)low = 0.2 cm; high = 7.4 cm 1 = <1.6 cm; 38.8% 2 = <3.1 cm; 41.8% 3 =<4.5 cm; 13.3% 4 = <6.0 cm; 3.1% 5 = >5.9 cm; 3.1% avg. = 2.3 cm, std =1.3 (16) NUMBER OF S30 = 2 The rating can be taken from about 60 CARPELSPER (All crops, all nurseries) days after planting to all the way to theend CAPSULE Subjective rating based on of the crop. The predominant thefollowing values: There are many plants with mixed number of carpels per2 = bicarpellate number of carpels as follows: capsule in the middle 3 =tricarpellate 1. Some bicarpellate plants will have half of the capsulezone 4 = quadricarpellate one or more nodes near the center of the (unitof measure: actual capsule zone that have tri- and/or numberquadricarpellate capsules and vice versa. Distribution within Sesaco 2.Most tri- and quadri-carpellate plants based on the introductions willbegin and end with bicarpellate nodes. received in 1982-2001 3. Someplants have only one carpel (Total number of samples that develops.These capsules are tested = 2702) generally bent, but on examination the2^(nd) 2 = 97.6% carpel can be seen. 3 = 0.0004% 4. On all types,flowers may coalesce 4 = 2.3% and double or triple the number of Sesacohas not developed carpels. lines with more than 2 5. On the seamlessgene plants (gs/gs) carpels. the false membranes do not form locules.These are still considered bicarpellate. (17) CAPSULE S30 = 2.27 cmAfter the plants are physiologically LENGTH FROM 10cap (All experimentalmature, take 2 capsules from five plants TEST nurseries, 1997-2006) fromthe middle of the capsule zone. On The length of the Value based on thethree capsule per leaf axil lines, one capsule from the average of aminimum of central capsule and one axillary capsule bottom of the seedthree samples of the should be taken from the same leaf axil. chamber tothe top of length taken on the The measurement is taken on the medianthe seed chamber from median capsule in a 10 capsule of single capsulelines and on the the outside of the capsule sample (unit of mediancentral capsule on three capsule capsule. The tip of the measure: cm)lines. The measurement is taken on dry capsule is not includedDistribution within Sesaco capsules because the length can shorten inthe measurement. based on 10cap test in all as much as one mm ondrydown. nurseries in 1997-2002 The 10 capsules can be sampled from(Total number of lines physiological maturity through complete tested =1,613 with 8,285 drydown without an effect on this samples) character.low = 1.3 cm; high = 4.5 cm Generally, the capsules in the middle of 1 =<1.94 cm; 2.7% the capsule zone are the longest on the 2 = <2.58 cm;67.9% plant. 3 = <3.22 cm; 27.2% COMMENTS: the length of the capsule 4 =<3.86 cm; 1.9% is dependent on the amount of moisture, 5 = >3.85 cm;0.3% fertility, and population. Higher moisture avg. = 2.44 cm, std =0.33 and fertility increase the length. Higher population decreases thelength even with adequate moisture/fertility. (18) SEED WEIGHT S30 =0.263 g See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP PER CAPSULE FROM (All experimentalTEST (Character No. 17) for collection of 10cap TEST nurseries,1997-2006) capsules. The capsules should be dried, The weight of theseed Value based on the the seed threshed out, and the seed in a capsulefrom the average of a minimum of weighed. center of the capsule threesamples of the The 10 capsules can be sampled from zone weight of 10capsules (unit physiological maturity through complete of weight: grams)drydown without an effect on this Distribution within Sesaco character.After drydown, only capsules based on 10cap test in all with all theirseed are taken. Thus, this test nurseries in 1997-2002 cannot be done onshattering lines after (Total number of lines drydown. tested = 1,613with 8,285 Generally, the capsules in the middle of samples) the capsulezone have the highest seed low = 0.053 g; high = 0.476 g weight percapsule on the plant. 1 = <0.138 g; 1.3% COMMENTS: see CAPSULE LENGTH 2= <0.222 g; 47.6% FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 17) 3 = <0.307 g; 50.6%for the effects of environmental factors. 4 = <0.391 g; 1.1% 5 = >0.390g; 0.1% avg. = 0.221 g, std = 0.039 (19) CAPSULE S30 = 0.166 g SeeCAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP WEIGHT PER (All experimental TEST (CharacterNo. 17) for collection of CAPSULE FROM nurseries, 1997-2006) capsules.The capsules should be dried, 10cap TEST Value based on the the seedthreshed out, and the capsules The weight of the average of a minimum ofweighed. At times the peduncle can still capsule from the center threesamples of the be attached to the capsules. The of the capsule zoneweight of 10 capsules (unit peduncles should be removed and not afterthe seed has been of measure: grams) weighed. removed Distributionwithin Sesaco The 10 capsules can be sampled from based on 10cap test inall physiological maturity through complete nurseries in 1997-2002drydown without an effect on this (Total number of lines character.tested = 1,613 with 8,285 Generally, the capsules in the middle ofsamples) the capsule zone have the highest capsule low = 0.059 g; high =0.395 g weight per capsule on the plant. 1 = <0.126 g; 22.6% COMMENTS:see CAPSULE LENGTH 2 = <0.193 g; 69.1% FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No.17) 3 = <0.261 g; 8.2% for the effects of environmental factors. 4 =<0.328 g; 0.9% 5 = >0.327 g; 0.6% avg. = 0.152 g, std = 0.036 (20)CAPSULE S30 = 0.073 g The weight is derived by dividing the WEIGHT PERCM OF (All experimental CAPSULE WEIGHT PER CAPSULE CAPSULE nurseries,1997-2006) FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 19) The weight of a capsuleValue based on the by the CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP per cm of capsulefrom average of a minimum of TEST (Character No. 17). the center of thethree samples of the The 10 capsules can be sampled from capsule zoneweight per cm of 10 physiological maturity through complete capsules(unit of measure: drydown without an effect on this grams) character.Distribution within Sesaco COMMENTS: this character is used based on10cap test in all instead of capsule width. Capsule width is nurseriesin 1997-2002 difficult to measure because there are so (Total number oflines many variables in a capsule. In a tested = 1,613 with 8,285bicarpellate capsule, the width differs when samples) measuring acrossone carpel or both low = 0.027 g; high = 0.123 g carpels. Capsules canalso vary through 1 = <0.046 g; 8.2% the length of the capsule by being2 = <0.065 g; 55.5% substantially narrower at the bottom, 3 = <0.085 g;36.5% middle or top of the capsule. In 1997, four 4 = <0.104 g; 4.4%widths were measured on each capsule 5 = >0.103 g; 0.5% and thenaveraged. This average had a avg. = 0.063 g, std = 0.012 very highcorrelation to the capsule weight per cm of capsule. See CAPSULE LENGTHFROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 17) for effects of environmental factors(21) VISUAL SEED S30 = I This rating is used for plants that areRETENTION (All crops, all nurseries) being selected for advanced testingAmount of seed in most Subjective rating based on whether individuallyor in a bulk with all the of the capsules in the the following values:plants having the same level of seed middle half of the X = <50% seedretention retention. capsule zone when the (unsuitable for direct Most“X” plants can be identified from plant(s) are dry enough harvest) thefirst capsule that dries since the seed for direct harvest with a C =50-74% seed will begin falling out immediately. combine retention(unsuitable for A “C” (close to V) plant will have some direct harvest,but may capsules with seed and some without. segregate V or above in A“V” (visual shatter resistance) plant future generations) can beidentified when the first 50% of the V = >74% seed retention capsuleshave dried, but a “V+” rating (sufficient seed retention should not beused until the complete plant for 10cap testing) is dry and most of thecapsules are W = >74% seed retention showing seed retention. onweathering in field after Some “V” plants can be upgraded to rainsand/or winds “W” after the dry capsules have been I = in using the “drumsubjected to weather (rain and/or wind). test” the seed in the “V” and“W” become non-dehiscent only capsules do not rattle and after 10captesting with about an 80% >85% of the capsules on passing rate. 10captesting is done on “I” the plant(s) harvested selections have had abouta 99% passing have visible seed in the rate. tips of the capsules fouror The “drum test” consists of placing the more weeks after the idealfingers from one hand about ½ inch from harvest time. The “I” the centerof the main stem and then rating is used for all of the striking thestem alternately with one finger capsules on the plant. and then theother finger in rapid ‘+’ and ‘−’ modifiers can succession. The humanear can perceive be used. degree of rattling over a range. IND isdefined as having no rattle. Degree of rattle in this test correlateswith loss of increasing amounts of seed as capsules are exposed toweather conditions. COMMENTS: the ratings above should be made undernormal conditions (600 mm of annual rainfall and 30 kg/ha of nitrogen)through high moisture/fertility conditions. In drought or very lowfertility conditions, it has been observed that there is less seedretention. In addition, high populations may lead to low moisture orfertility causing less seed retention. If unusual environmentalconditions are present, the effects should be taken into considerationprior to rating. (22) SHAKER S30 = 79.4% See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAPSHATTER (All experimental TEST (Character No. 17) for collection ofRESISTANCE FROM nurseries, 1997-2006) capsules. The capsules should bedried 10cap TEST Value based on the and inverted. The capsules and anyseed The amount of seed average of a minimum of that has fallen outshould then be placed in retention after the three samples of the flaskson a reciprocal shaker with a 3.8 cm capsules are dry, percentage ofseed stroke with 250 strokes/min for 10 minutes inverted, and putretained in 10 capsules (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452). The seed througha shaker (10 (unit of measure: Actual that comes out of the capsulesshould be capsule sample) Number expressed as weighed as ‘out seed.’ Theretained seed percentage) should be threshed out of the capsulesDistribution within Sesaco and weighed to compute the ‘total seed’.based on 10cap test in all The shaker shatter resistance is computednurseries in 1997-2002 as a percentage as follows: (total seed − out(Total number of lines seed)/total seed. tested = 1,613 with 8,285 The10 capsules can be sampled from samples) physiological maturity throughcomplete low = 0; high = 100 drydown without an effect on this character1 = <20; 12.9% for shatter resistant types. When taking 2 = <40; 6.9%capsules after drydown, only capsules with 3 = <60; 23.4% all their seedare taken. Thus, this test 4 = <80; 47.7% cannot be done on shatteringlines after 5 = >79.9; 9.2% drydown. avg. = 55.9%, std = 23.9 COMMENTS:The ratings above should be made under normal conditions through highmoisture/fertility conditions. In drought or very low fertilityconditions, it has been observed that there is less seed retention. Inadditions, high populations may lead to low moisture or fertilitycausing there is less seed retention. If unusual environmentalconditions are present, the effects should be taken into considerationprior to rating. Lines with shaker shatter resistance >64.9% are knownas non-dehiscent lines (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452). (23) CAPSULE S30 =SR The rating is based on visual SHATTERING TYPE (All crops, allnurseries) observations as to seed retention as the Amount of seedSubjective rating based on plants remain standing in the field withoutretention in a line or the following values: shocking. plant SUS =Super-shattering GS plants can be identified while the (<2 visual seedretention - plant is putting on capsules or at drydown equates to <25%)because the carpels in the capsules do not SHA = Shattering (<4 formfalse membranes. There are plants visual seed retention - that will havecapsules with false equates to <50%) membranes on the lower and uppernodes SSH = Semi-shattering (4-6 but most of the capsules show no falsevisual seed retention - membranes. equates to 50 to 75%) ID plants canbe identified during the SR = Shatter resistant (a growing season inthat they have enations numeric rating >6 visual on the bottoms of theleaves. At dry down seed retention without id they are more difficult todistinguish from or gs alleles - equates to other lines that have closedcapsules >75%; an alphabetical (other than GS). There is less of asuture rating of V, W, or I) than other capsule types. ID = IndehiscentSUS, SHA, SSH, and SR are defined by (presence of id/id with VISUAL SEEDRETENTION (Character capsule closed) No. 21). IDO = IndehiscentCOMMENTS: Most environmental (presence of id/id with factors do not havemuch of an effect on capsule open at tip) capsule shattering type otherthan to make GS = Seamless it more difficult to distinguish in theoverlap (presence of gs/gs with zone. Generally, higher moisture, highercapsule closed) fertility, and lower populations will GSO = Seamlessdecrease the shattering a small amount - (presence of gs/gs with lessthan 10%. capsule open at tip) The wind can have a large effect indecreasing the amount of seed retention. Rain, dew and fog can alsoreduce seed retention. (24) NON-DEHISCENT S30 = ND Lines are designatedas ND only after they TEST (All crops, all nurseries) have undergone aminimum of 3 shaker A line that has passed Subjective rating based onshatter resistance tests. In order to be the non-dehiscent test thefollowing values: considered an ND variety, the line must of havingshaker shatter ND = Non-dehiscent line pass the ND threshold in multiplenurseries resistance >64.9% is XX = Line that does not for multipleyears. considered an ND line pass the non-dehiscent in accordance withU.S. test Pat. No. 6,100,452. ND distribution within Sesaco based on10cap test in all nurseries in 1997-2006 (Total number of samples tested= 10,905) ND = 53.6% XX = 46.4% (25) IMPROVED NON- S30 = 7.32 Thisrating is used for a plot or field that DEHISCENT VISUAL (Uvaldenursery, 2006) is being evaluated. RATING S30 = 7.33 The data is takenfour or more weeks Amount of seed in most (Lorenzo nursery, 2006) afterthe ideal harvest time. See DAYS of the capsules in the S30 = 7.33 TODIRECT HARVEST (Character No. plants in a plot four or (Lorenzo nursery,2007) 30). Estimate the percentage of capsules more weeks after theValue based on the that have visible seed at the top. In the idealharvest time. average on a minimum of beginning in order to develop aneye for three plots of a subjective the rating, the evaluator shouldobserve all rating based on the of the capsules and rate each of them;get percentage of capsules a counts of those with visible seeds and awith visible seed retention count of total capsules; and compute a 8 <100% percentage. Once the evaluator is skilled, 7 < 85% there is no needto count the capsules. 6 < 70% There is a very high correlation between5 > 55% this rating upon visual evaluation and the Z < 55% amount ofrattling generated by the “drum ‘+’ and ‘−’ modifiers can test” definedabove. be used. For averages, Although retention can vary from plant0.33 is added for a ‘+’ and to plant and even within a plant, theoverall 0.33 is subtracted for a ‘−’, rating is correlatable with IND.e.g., “7+” = 7.33. In crossing between lines, in early (Total number oflines generations there is a segregation of IND tested = 288 with 801plants and non-IND plants. In this samples in 2006) case the plot isgiven a rating of the low = 2.97; high = 7.33 majority of plants whilethe plants selected 1 = <6.0; 2.1% can have a higher rating which isreflected 2 = <6.5; 20.8% in VISUAL SEED RETENTION. The 3 = <7.0; 13.2%ratings that are cited in this character are 4 = <7.5; 63.9% for plots,but a ratings of 7 or 8 are only 5 = >7.5; 0% given if over 90% of theplants have the avg. = 6.77, std = 0.54 higher rating. Note: Thepercentage of lines between 7.0 and 7.6 is very high because Sesaco hasestablished a new threshold for a new variety of IND >6.9 and only linesthat are IND or segregating IND are rated. (26) IMPROVED NON- S30 = INDVarieties were designated as IND after DEHISCENCE TEST (All crops, allnurseries they demonstrated the defined An ND line that passesSubjective rating based on characteristics with statisticallysignificant the rattle test and has a the following values: data. visualIND rating >6.99 IND = Improved Non- is considered IND. A dehiscent linemethod for traditional ZZ = Line that does not breeding of an IND linepass the non-dehiscent is described in test concurrently filed U.S.Distribution within Sesaco Patent Application based on visual IND (TotalSer. No.     (Attorney number of lines tested = 1,934 Docket Number SESAin all nurseries from 3200 PTUS). ND and 2005 to 2007) IND lines shouldnot IND = 9.5% have id or gs alleles. ZZ = 90.5% (27) DAYS TO S30 = 42days The vegetative phase in sesame is from FLOWERING (Uvalde nursery,2007) the time of planting to the start of Number of days from Valuebased on the flowering. planting until 50% of the average of a minimumof This data is taken as a date and later plants are flowering threeplots of the number converted to number of days. Flowering is of days(unit of measure: defined as flowers that are open - not days) buds.Distribution within Sesaco COMMENTS: flowering can be based on lines inUvalde accelerated by drought and it can be nursery in 2000-2001 delayedby higher moisture and/or fertility. (Total number of samples Higherheat units will decrease the days to tested = 1831) flowering. low = 33days; high = 89 Some lines are photosensitive and will days only beginflowering at a certain number of 1 = <44.2 days; 87.9% hours ofdaylight. 2 = <55.4 days; 7.8% Start of flowering does not always 3 =<66.6 days; 2.4% equate to start of capsule formation. Many 4 = <77.8days; 1.7% lines will flower and not set capsules from 5 = >77.7 days;0.2% the first flowers. avg. = 40.9 days, std = 6.3 (28) DAYS TO S30 =87 days The reproductive phase of sesame is FLOWER (Uvalde nursery,2007) from the start to the end of flowering. TERMINATION Value based onthe This data is taken as a date and later Number of days from averageof a minimum of converted to number of days. Flowering is planting until90% of the three plots of the number defined as flowers that are open -not plants have stopped of days (unit of measure: buds. At the end ofthe flowering period, flowering days) the rate that a plant puts on openflowers Distribution within Sesaco is reduced. Thus, there can be morethan based on lines in Uvalde 10% of plants with buds and still havenursery in 2000-2001 reached this measure since there will not (Totalnumber of samples be more than 10% with open flowers on tested = 2668)any one day. low = 61 days; high = 114 The measure is based on thenumber of days plants and not the number of flowering 1 = <71.6 days;21.1% heads. The branches will stop flowering 2 = <82.2 days; 61.5%before the main stem, and thus the plot will 3 = <92.8 days; 15.9%appear like there are more plants not 4 = <103.4 days; 0.8% flowering. 5= >103.3 days; 0.8% COMMENTS: flower termination can avg. = 77.1 days,std = 6.9 be accelerated by lower moisture and/or fertility, and it canbe delayed by higher moisture and/or fertility. Higher heat units willdecrease the DAYS TO FLOWER TERMINATION. It is known that there arelines that stop flowering sooner than expected in northern latitudes,but it is not known if this is due to shorter photoperiod or cooltemperatures. (29) DAYS TO S30 = 110 The ripening phase of sesame isfrom PHYSIOLOGICAL (Uvalde nursery, 2007) the end of flowering untilphysiological MATURITY Value based on the maturity. Number of days fromaverage of a minimum of This data is taken as a date and later plantinguntil 50% of the three plots of the number converted to number of days.Physiological plants reach of days (unit of measure: maturity (PM) isdefined as the point at physiological maturity days) which ¾ of thecapsules have seed with Distribution within Sesaco final color. In mostlines, the seed will also based on lines in Uvalde have a seed line andtip that are dark. nursery in 2000-2001 COMMENTS: The concept of (Totalnumber of samples physiological maturity in sesame was tested = 2374)developed by M. L. Kinman (personal low = 77 days; high = 140communication) based on the concept of days determining the optimum timeto cut a 1 = <89.6 days; 16.8% plant and still harvest 95-99% of the 2 =102.2 days; 58.0% potential yield. When the seed has final 3 = <114.8days; 23.6% color, the seed can germinate under the 4 = <127.4 days;1.4% proper conditions. If the plant is cut at 5 = >127.3 days; 0.2%physiological maturity, most of the seed avg. = 97.1 days, std = 7.1above the ¾ mark will go to final color and are mature enough togerminate, but will not have as much seed weight. Since in even a fullymature plant, there is less seed weight made at the top of the plant,this loss of seed weight does not seriously affect the potential seedweight of the plant. Although present harvest methods let the plantsmature and go to complete drydown, PM is important because after thatpoint, the crop is less susceptible to yield loss due to frost ordisease. The PM is also important if the crop is to be swathed orharvest aids are to be applied. Physiological maturity can beaccelerated by lower moisture and/or fertility, and it can be delayed byhigher moisture and/or fertility. Higher heat units will decrease thedays to physiological maturity. Cool weather can delay physiologicalmaturity. (30) DAYS TO DIRECT S30 = 131 The drying phase of sesame isfrom HARVEST (Uvalde nursery, 2007) physiological maturity until directharvest. Number of days from Value based on the This data is taken as adate and later planting until there is average of a minimum of convertedto number of days. Direct enough drydown for three plots of the numberharvest is defined as the date at which the direct harvest of days (unitof measure: plants are dry enough for combining seed days) at 6% or lessmoisture. Over 99% of the Distribution within Sesaco sesame in the worldis harvested by hand based on lines in all before the plant completelydries down. nurseries from 2004 The plants should be dry below wheretthrough 2006 the cutter bar of the combine will hit the (Total numberof samples plants. In many lines, 15-20 cm from the tested = 1,998)ground can be green without an effect on low = 103 days; high = 161 themoisture of the seed. In taking the days data on a plot, the plants atthe aisle have 1 = <114.6 days; 3.3% more moisture and fertilityavailable and 2 = <126.2 days; 13.3% will drydown later. The same istrue for 3 = <137.8 days; 32.1% plants within the plot that have a gapof 4 = <149.4 days; 44.2% half a meter between plants. These plants 5= >149.3 days; 7.2% should be disregarded in taking the data. avg. =136.7 days, std = 10.3 In addition, there are few farmer fields that drydown uniformly because of varying soils and moisture. There is a certainamount of green that can be combined and still attain the propermoisture. The amount of green allowable is also dependent on thehumidity at the day of combining-the lower the humidity the higher theamount of allowable green. COMMENTS: This date is the most variablenumber of days that define the phenology of sesame because weather is soimportant. In dry years with little rainfall, the plants will run out ofmoisture sooner and will dry down faster than in years with morerainfall. Fields that are irrigated by pivots will generally dry downfaster than fields with flood or furrow irrigation because pivots do notprovide deep moisture. Fields with less fertility will drydown fasterthan fields with high fertility. Fields with high populations will drydown faster than fields with low populations. In low moisture situationslines with a strong taproot will dry down later than lines with mostlyshallow fibrous roots. (31) LODGING S30 = 7.38 The data is taken afterphysiological RESISTANCE (Uvalde nursery 2007); maturity (see DAYS TOPHYSIOLOGICAL The amount of lodging S30 = 7.89 MATURITY - Character No.29) and (Lorenzo nursery, 2007) before direct harvest (see DAYS TOAverage of a minimum of DIRECT HARVEST - Character No. 30). three plotsof a subjective Lodging that occurs after direct harvest in rating basedon the nurseries would not be a factor in following values: commercialsesame. 0 to 8 rating There are three types of lodging: where 8 = nolodging the plants break at the stem, where the 7 = Less than 5% ofplants plants bend over but do not break, and lodged where the plantsuproot and bend over. 4 = 50% of plants lodged When a plant breaks over,it will rarely 1 = All plants lodged produce any new seed, and theexisting Intermediate values are seed may or may not mature. If there isa used. total break, there is no hope, but if there is Distributionwithin Sesaco still some active stem translocation based on lines inUvalde through the break, there can be some yield and Lorenzo nurseriesin recovery. The main causes for uprooting 2007 of plants are shallowroot systems and (Total number of samples fields that have just beenirrigated, creating tested = 1061) a soft layer of soil. When a plantbends low = 1.0; high = 8.0 over early in development, some lines 1 =<2.4; 3.1% adapt better than others in terms of having 2 = <3.8; 6.9%the main stems turn up and continue 3 = <5.2; 22.6% flowering. The tipsof the branches are 4 = <6.6; 18.9% usually matted under the canopy andwill 5 = >8.0; 48.4% rarely turn up, but new branches can avg. = 6.1,std = 1.7 develop. As the plants go to drydown and the weight of themoisture is lost, many of the bent plants will straighten up making thecrop easier to combine. COMMENTS: The major cause of lodging is thewind. In areas where there are constant winds such as in Oklahoma andnorthern Texas, the plants adjust by adding more lignins to the stemsand it takes a stronger wind to cause lodging than in areas such asUvalde where there normally only breezes unless there is a strong frontor thunderstorm that passes through. In areas with more root rots, thestems are weak and it takes little wind to lodge the plants. (32) SEEDCOLOR S30 = BF This data is taken in the laboratory with The color ofthe seed (All crops, all nurseries) the same lighting for all samples.The seed coat Subjective rating based on from the whole plant is used.the following values: Seed coat color is taken on mature WH = Whiteseeds. If there is any abnormal BF = Buff termination, the colors arenot quite as TN = Tan even. The color of immature seed varies. LBR =Light brown Usually light seeded lines have tan to light GO = Gold brownimmature seed; tan, light brown, LGR = Light gray gold, brown lightgray, and gray lines have GR = Gray lighter immature seed; black linescan BR = Brown have tan, brown, or gray immature seed. RBR = Reddishbrown Usually, moisture, fertility, population BL = Black and lightintensity do not have an effect on Distribution within Sesaco seed coatcolor. Light colored seeds in a based on seed harvested drought may havea yellowish tinge. Seeds in all nurseries in 1982-2001 in some lines inthe tan, light brown and (Total number of gold range can change fromyear to year samples tested = 161,809) among themselves. WH = 0.8% BF =74.8% TN = 9.0% LBR = 1.4% GO = 1.5% LGR = 0.6% GR = 1.4% BR = 6.5% RBR= 0.6% BL = 3.5% (33) SEED WEIGHT - S30 = 0.306 g See CAPSULE LENGTHFROM 10CAP 100 SEEDS FROM (All experimental TEST (Character No. 17) forcollection of 10cap TEST nurseries, 1997-2006) capsules. Weight of 100seeds Value based on the Count out 100 seeds and weigh. The taken fromthe 10cap average of a minimum of seed must be dry. tests which aretaken three samples of the COMMENTS: the weight increases from themiddle of the weight of 100 seeds from with higher moisture/fertility.Generally, plant. the 10 capsules (unit of the weight of the seed fromthe whole plant weight: grams) is lighter than the seed weight takenfrom Distribution within Sesaco the 10cap test. based on stable lines inall nurseries in 1997-2002 (Total number of lines tested = 820 with2,899 samples) low = 0.200 g; high = 0.455 g 1 = <0..251 g; 10.1% 2 =<0.302 g; 48.4% 3 = <0.353 g; 34.0% 4 = <0.404 g; 7.2% 5 = >0.403 g;0.2% avg. = 0.298 g, std = 0.04 (34) COMPOSITE KILL S30 = 6.21 On theweek a plot reaches PM, a RESISTANCE (Uvalde nursery, 2007); rating isassigned. The ratings are then The amount of plants S30 = 6.95 taken for2 additional weeks. The three killed by root rots in the (Lorenzonursery, 2007) ratings are averaged for a final kill rating. Sesaconurseries Average of a minimum of For example, if a plot has a finalkill of 766, three plots of a subjective the average for the plot willbe 6.33. When rating based on the a value of 1 or 2 is assigned, thereare no following values: Ratings additional ratings and there is no arebased on the number averaging. of plants killed in a plot. There arethree root diseases that affect Before physiological sesame in Texas:Fusarium oxysporum, maturity (PM), the Macrophomina phaseoli, andPhytophtora following ratings are used: parasitica. Between 1988 and thepresent, 1 = >90% kill before DAYS spores of these three have been TOFLOWERING accumulated in one small area (1 square TERMINATION (Characterkm) north of Uvalde, and thus it is an No. 28) excellent screening areafor the diseases. 2 = >90% kill between Although each root rot attackssesame in a DAYS TO FLOWERING different way with different symptoms, noTERMINATION (Character effort is made to differentiate which No. 28) andDAYS TO disease is the culprit in each plot. PHYSIOLOGICAL Pathologicalscreenings in the past have MATURITY (Character No. found all 3pathogens present in dead 29) plants. After PM, the following COMMENTS:normally, the ratings will ratings are used: decrease a maximum of onevalue per 3 = >90% kill week. There is an overlap between any 4 = 50 to89% kill two ratings, but this is overcome to a 5 = 25 to 49% killcertain extent by using three ratings over 2 6 = 10 to 24% kill weeks. 7= less than 10% kill The amount of kill is usually increased 8 = no killwith any type of stress to the plants. Distribution within SesacoDrought can increase the amount of based on lines in UvaldeMacrophomina; too much water can nursery in 2000-2001 increase theamount of Phytophtora; high (Total number of samples temperatures andhumidity can increase tested = 3045) the amount of Fusarium andPhytophtora. low = 1.00; high = 8.00 High population can increase allthree 1 = <1.6; 1.7% diseases. 2 = <3.2; 16.7% The ratings for any oneyear can be 3 = <4.8; 38.7% used to compare lines grown in that year, 4= <6.4; 31.2% but should not be used to compare lines 5 = >6.3; 11.6%grown in different years. The amount of avg. = 4.52, std = 1.49 diseasein any one year is highly dependent on moisture, humidity, andtemperatures. (35) RESISTANCE TO S30 = NT Ratings can be done in severalways: FUSARIUM WILT (F. oxysporum) Average of a minimum of 1. Takeratings after the disease is no Amount of resistance to three plots of asubjective longer increasing Fusarium wilt rating based on the 2. Takeratings on consecutive weeks following values: until disease is nolonger increasing and 0 to 8 scale of the average ratings. % of infectedplants 3. Take periodic ratings and average 8 = Zero disease ratings. 7= <10% infected COMMENTS: Fusarium has been a 4 = 50% infected problemin South Texas, particularly on 1 = >90% infected fields that have beenplanted with sesame 0 = all infected before. Normally, only theCOMPOSITE Intermediate values are KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34)used. rating is taken. NT = not tested NEC = no economic damage - notenough disease to do ratings (36) RESISTANCE TO S30 = NT See Methodologyfor RESISTANCE TO PHYTOPHTORA STEM Subjective rating FUSARIUM WILT(Character No. 35) ROT (P. parasitica) See Values for Fusarium COMMENTS:Phytophtora has been a Amount of resistance to problem in Arizona andTexas, particularly Phytophtora stem rot on fields that have beenover-irrigated. Normally, only the COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (CharacterNo. 34) rating is taken. (37) RESISTANCE TO S30 = NT See Methodology forRESISTANCE TO CHARCOAL ROT Subjective rating FUSARIUM WILT (CharacterNo. 35) (Macrophomina See Values for Fusarium COMMENTS: Macrophomina hasbeen phaseoli) a problem in Arizona and Texas, Amount of resistance toparticularly on fields that go into a drought. Charcoal rot Normally,only the COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34) rating is taken.(38) RESISTANCE TO S30 = 8.00 See Methodology for RESISTANCE TOBACTERIAL BLACK (Uvalde nursery, 2004) FUSARIUM WILT (Character No. 35)ROT (Pseudomonas Average of a minimum of COMMENTS: this disease occurssesami) three plots of a subjective occasionally when there is continualrainy Amount of resistance to rating based on the weather with fewclouds. In most years, bacterial black rot following values: the diseaseabates once the weather 0 to 8 scale of the changes. No economic damagehas been % of infected plants noticed. 8 = Zero disease 7 = <10%infected 4 = 50% infected 1 = >90% infected 0 = all infectedIntermediate values are used. NT = not tested NEC = no economic damage -not enough disease to do ratings Distribution within Sesaco based onlines in Uvalde nursery in 2004 (Total number of samples tested = 593)low = 4.00; high = 8.00 1 = <2.4; 0.0% 2 = <3.8; 0.0% 3 = <5.2; 8.6% 4 =<6.6; 16.0% 5 = >6.5; 75.4% avg. = 7.13, std = 1.00 (39) RESISTANCE TOS30 = NEC Ratings can be done in several ways: SILVERLEAF WHITE (Uvaldenursery, 2006) 1. Take ratings after the insects are no FLY (BemisiaAverage of a minimum of longer increasing. argentifolii) three plots ofa subjective 2. Take ratings on consecutive weeks Amount of resistanceto rating based on the until insects are no longer increasing and thesilverleaf white fly following values: average ratings. 0 to 8 scale ofthe 3. Take periodic ratings and average % of infected plants ratings. 0to 8 scale COMMENTS: there have been very 8 = Zero insects few years(1991-1995) where the 7 = Few insects incidence of silverleaf white flyhas 4 = Many insects affected nurseries or commercial crops. In 1 =Insects killing the most years, a few white flies can be seen plants inthe sesame with no economic damage. Intermediate values are In themiddle 1990s, the USDA began used. introducing natural predators of theNT = not tested silverleaf white fly in the Uvalde area. It is NEC = noeconomic not known if the predators reduced the damage - not enougheffects of the white fly or there is a natural insects to do ratingstolerance to white fly in the current varieties. Higher temperaturesdecrease the number of days between generations. There are indicationsthat higher moisture and fertility increase the incidence of whiteflies, but there is no definitive data. The sweet potato white fly(Bemisia tabaci) has been observed in nurseries since 1978 without anyeconomic damage. (40) RESISTANCE TO S30 = 8.00 See Methodology forRESISTANCE TO GREEN PEACH (Uvalde nursery, 2004) SILVERLEAF WHITE FLY(Character No. APHIDS (Myzus Subjective rating; see 39) persicae) Valuesfor White Fly COMMENTS: there have been very Amount of resistance toDistribution within Sesaco few years (1990-1995) where the the greenpeach aphid based on lines in Uvalde incidence of green peach aphid hasnursery in 2004 affected nurseries or commercial crops. In (Total numberof samples most years, a few aphids can be seen in tested = 412) thesesame with no economic damage. low = 1.00; high = 8.00 There have beenmany years in West 1 = <2.4; 1.0% Texas when the cotton aphid has 2 =<3.8; 0.5% decimated the cotton and did not build up 3 = <5.2; 10.7% onadjacent sesame fields. 4 = <6.6; 4.8% Higher moisture and fertilityincrease 5 = >6.5; 83.0% the susceptibility to aphids. avg. = 7.04, std= 1.35 (41) RESISTANCE TO S30 = NT See Methodology for RESISTANCE TO PODBORERS Subjective rating; see SILVERLEAF WHITE FLY (Character No.(Heliothis spp.) Values for White Fly 39) Amount of resistance toCOMMENTS: there have been very pod borers few years (1985) where theincidence of Heliothis has affected nurseries or commercial crops. Inmost years, a few borers can be seen in the sesame with no economicdamage. (42) RESISTANCE TO S30 = NT See Methodology for RESISTANCE TOARMY WORMS Subjective rating; see SILVERLEAF WHITE FLY (Character No.(Spodoptera spp.) Values for White Fly 39) Amount of resistance toCOMMENTS: there have been very army worms few years (1984-1987) wherethe incidence of Spodoptera has affected commercial crops in Arizona. InTexas, army worms have decimated cotton and alfalfa fields next tosesame without any damage to the sesame. It is not known if the Arizonaarmy worm is different from the Texas army worm. (43) RESISTANCE TO S30= NEC See Methodology for RESISTANCE TO CABBAGE LOOPERS (Lorenzo nursery2007) SILVERLEAF WHITE FLY (Character No. (Pieris rapae) Subjectiverating; see 39) Amount of resistance to values for White Fly COMMENTS:there have been very cabbage loopers few years (1992-1993) where theincidence of cabbage loopers has affected nurseries. In commercialsesame, cabbage loopers have been observed with no economic damage.^(a)Uvalde nursery planted north of Uvalde, Texas (latitude 29° 22′north, longitude 99° 47′ west, 226 m elev) in middle to late May toearly June from 1988 to the present; mean rainfall is 608 mm annuallywith a mean of 253 mm during the growing season; temperatures range froman average low of 3° C. and an average high of 17° C. in January to anaverage low of 22° C. and an average high of 37° C. in July. The nurserywas planted on 96 cm beds from 1988 to 1997 and on 76 cm beds from 1998to the present. The nursery was pre-irrigated and has had 2-3 post-plantirrigations depending on rainfall. The fertility has varied from 30-60units of nitrogen. ^(b)Lorenzo nursery planted southeast of Lubbock,Texas (latitude 33° 40′ north, longitude 101° 49′ west, 1000 m elev) inmid June from 2004 to the present; mean rainfall is 483 mm annually witha mean of 320 mm during the growing season; temperatures range from anaverage low of −4° C. and an average high of 11° C. in January to anaverage low of 20° C. and an average high of 33° C. in July. The nurserywas planted on 101 cm beds. The nursery was rainfed. The fertility was30 units of nitrogen.

In developing sesame varieties for the United States, there are sevencharacters that are desirable for successful crops: SHAKER SHATTERRESISTANCE (Character No. 22), IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING(Character No. 25), COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34), DAYSTO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY (Character No. 29), SEED COLOR (Character No.32), and SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 33). Thefirst four characters contribute to YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character 10)which is the most important economic factor normally considered by afarmer in the selection of a variety. In improving the characters, theyields have to be comparable to or better than current varieties, orprovide a beneficial improvement for a particular geographical or marketniche. SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE and IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUALRATING determine how well the plants will retain the seed while they aredrying down in adverse weather.

COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE determines whether the plants can finish theircycle and have the optimum seed fill. DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITYdetermines how far north and to which elevation the varieties can begrown. In the United States and Europe, the SEED COLOR is importantsince over 95% of the market requires white or buff seed. There arelimited markets for gold and black seed in the Far East. All othercolors can only be used in the oil market. SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM10CAP TEST determines the market for the seed. Lack of COMPOSITE KILLRESISTANCE can reduce SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST. In parts ofthe United States where there is little rain in dry years and the lackof moisture can reduce the SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST.

There are other characters important in developing commercial sesamevarieties explained in Langham, D. R. and T. Wiemers, 2002. “Progress inmechanizing sesame in the US through breeding”, In: J. Janick and A.Whipkey (ed.), Trends in new crops and new uses, ASHS Press, Alexandria,Va. BRANCHING STYLE (Character No. 1), HEIGHT OF PLANT (Character No. 5)and HEIGHT OF FIRST CAPSULE (Character No. 6) are important incombining. CAPSULE ZONE LENGTH (Character No. 7), NUMBER OF CAPSULENODES (Character No. 8), AVERAGE INTERNODE LENGTH WITHIN CAPSULE ZONE(Character No. 9), and SEED WEIGHT PER CAPSULE (Character No. 18) areimportant in creating potential YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character No. 10).LEAF DIMENSIONS (Characters No. 12, 13, 14, and 15) are important indetermining optimum populations.

NUMBER OF CAPSULES PER LEAF AXIL (Character No. 2), NUMBER OF CARPELSPER CAPSULE (Character No. 16), CAPSULE LENGTH (Character No. 17),CAPSULE WEIGHT PER CAPSULE (Character No. 19), and CAPSULE WEIGHT PER CMOF CAPSULE (Character No. 20) are important in breeding for VISUAL SEEDRETENTION (Character No. 21) and IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING(Character No. 25) which lead to testing for SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE(Character No. 22) and determining the CAPSULE SHATTERING TYPE(Character No. 23), NON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character 24) and IMPROVEDNON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character No. 26).

DAYS TO FLOWERING (Character No. 27), DAYS TO FLOWER TERMINATION(Character No. 28), DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY (Character No. 29),and MATURITY CLASS (Character No. 3) are highly correlated and importantin determining the phenology and geographical range for the variety.

DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (Character No. 30) is important in that once theplants reach physiological maturity there is no weather event that willincrease yield and many weather events that may substantially lower theyield. A shorter drying phase increases yield. PLANT PHENOTYPE(Character No. 4) is a summary character of characters 1, 2, and 3 thatallows an overall visualization of the line.

RESISTANCE TO DROUGHT (Character No. 11) becomes important in reducingyield and seed weight. Even though there was a drought in the growingareas in 2006, there has not been a drought in nurseries planted since2000 because of irrigation. LODGING RESISTANCE (Character No. 31) isimportant in years when there are high winds in the growing areas. Theresistance characters (Characters No. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42,and 43) are important in reducing the losses from diseases and pests.

Over the past 30 years, Sesaco has tested 2,966 introductions from allover the world. Commercial samples have been obtained from China, India,Sudan, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mozambique, Pakistan, Myanmar,Bangladesh, Vietnam, Egypt, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Venezuela,Thailand, Turkey, Upper Volta, Uganda, Mali, Kenya, Indonesia, SriLanka, Afghanistan, Philippines, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Somalia,Eritrea, Paraguay, and El Salvador. Additional research seed has beenreceived from the commercial countries and from many other countriessuch as Australia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Russia, Jordan, Yemen, Syria,Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Angola, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Cambodia, Laos,Sri Lanka, Ghana, Gabon, Greece, Italy, South Korea, Libya, Nepal,Zaire, England and Tanzania. Research seed received from one country mayhave originated from another unspecified country. All of the commercialand research introductions have CAPSULE SHATTERING TYPE (Character No.23) of shattering, “SHA”.

Using selected characters from Table II, Table III provides a characterdifferentiation between S30 and name cultivars from all over the world.

TABLE III Character Differentiation of Various Sesame Varieties^(a)Character Rating Name cultivars tested by Sesaco CAPSULE SHATTERING SHAEliminate the following from the world: TYPE From Venezuela: Venezuela51, Venezuela (Character No. 23) 52, Guacara, Aceitera, Inamar,Acarigua, Morada, Capsula Larga, Arawaca, Piritu, Glauca, Turen, DV9,Fonucla, UCLA From Mexico: Pachequeno, Yori, Anna, Teras, Denisse,Canasta, Tehvantepeter From India: TMV1, TMV3 From Turkey: Ozberk,Muganli, Gamdibi, Marmara From Israel: DT45 From Guatemala: R198, R30From Paraguay: Escoba and INIA. From Texas: Llano, Margo, Dulce, Blanco,Paloma, Oro, Renner 1 and 2, Early Russian From California: UCR3, UCR4,Eva, Calinda (Cal Beauty) From Thailand: KU18 From Korea: Danback,Gwansan, Pungyiong, Suweon, Yuseong, Hanseon, Ahnsan, Kwangsan, Jinback,Pungsan, Sodan, Yangheuk, Konheuk, Whaheuck, Sungboon SSH Eliminate fromSesaco: S02, S03, S04, S05, S06, S07, S08, S09, S10, S12, S14 IDEliminate the following from the world: From Venezuela: G2, Morada idFrom Texas: Rio, Delco, Baco, Improved Baco, Roy, Eli From SouthCarolina: Palmetto From California: UCR234 From Sesaco: S01 SR Allothers, go to NON-DEHISCENT TEST NON-DEHISCENT TEST XX Eliminate fromSesaco: S11, S15, S16, S17, (Character No. 24) S18, S19, S20, S21 ND Allothers to the Improved NON-DEHISCENT TEST IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT ZZEliminate from Sesaco: 11W, 19A, S22, S23, TEST (Character No. 26) S24,S25, S26, S28, S29 (all of these lines and varieties have been disclosedin previous patents, and there are no lines or varieties that are notincluded.) IND From Sesaco: S30 and S32, go BRANCHING STYLE BRANCHINGSTYLE B Eliminate from Sesaco: S32 (Character No. 1) U S30 ^(a)SHA =shattering; SSH = semi-shattering; ID = indehiscent; SR = shatterresistant; XX = not non-dehiscent according to the teachings of U.S.Pat. No. 6,100,452; ND = non-dehiscent according to the teachings ofU.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452; IND = improved non-dehiscent according to theteachings of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 12041257 (Attorney DocketNumber SESA 3200 PTUS)

Although Table III differentiates S30 from all other cultivars andvarieties, Table IV provides additional separation from two of the othercurrent varieties S25 and S29 and Table V shows all the characters fromTable II for S30 and the other three current varieties S26, S28, andS32.

TABLE IV Character Comparison of S30 to S25 and S29 No. CharacterYear/nursery S26 S29 S30 5 HEIGHT OF PLANT (cm) 2007 UV 130 138 142 6HEIGHT OF FIRST CAPSULE 2007 UV 66 56 52 (cm) 7 CAPSULE ZONE LENGTH (cm)2007 UV 65 82 90 17 CAPSULE LENGTH (cm) 1997-2006 All 2.84 2.80 2.27

S30 is taller, has a longer capsule zone, and has shorter capsules thanS25 and S29. There are other differences, but these clearly separate S30from these two commercial varieties—S25 and S29.

Table V compares S30 to S26, S28, and S32 because they are the closestphenotypically, and they share one common parent (031) that has many ofthe characters of the three varieties. The table is in terms of all ofthe characters listed in Table 11. The major differences in Table V areindicated in the “Dif” column by a “C” for commercially importantdifferences and an “M” for morphological differences.

TABLE V Character Comparison of S26, S28, S30, and S32^(a) No. CharacterYear/nursery S26 S28 S30 S32 Dif 1 Branching Style All B B U B C 2Number of Capsules per All 1 1 1 1 Leaf Axil 3 Maturity Class AdjustedPM 100 99 98 97 2005-2007 M M M M UV 4 Plant Phenotype All B1M B1M U1MB1M 5 Height of Plant (cm) 2007 UV 148 144 142 147 6 Height of FirstCapsule 2007 UV 60 58 52 58 (cm) 7 Capsule Zone Length (cm) 2007 UV 8886 90 89 8 Number of Capsule Nodes 2007 UV 31 29 31 25 M 9 AverageInternode Length 2007 UV 2.9 3.0 2.9 3.6 M within Capsule Zone (cm) 10Yield at Drydown (kg/ha) 2007 UV 1308 1384 1386 1315 2007 LO 464 6391204 1059 C 11 Resistance to Drought 2000 SA Good Good NT NT 12 LeafLength (cm) 5^(th) - 2006 24.1 23.3 23.4 NT LO 10^(th) - 2006 12.5 12.119.7 NT M LO 15^(th) - 2006 9.1 7.6 16.1 NT M LO 13 Leaf Blade Length(cm) 5^(th) - 2006 13.4 13.8 14.3 NT LO 10^(th) - 2006 9.8 9.3 15.0 NT MLO 15^(th) - 2006 7.5 6.6 13.2 NT M LO 14 Leaf Blade Width (cm) 5^(th) -2006 14.5 14.8 10.8 NT LO 10^(th) - 2006 3.3 2.6 4.1 NT LO 15^(th) -2006 1.2 0.9 1.8 NT LO 15 Petiole Length (cm) 5^(th) - 2006 10.7 9.5 9.1NT LO 10^(th) - 2006 2.7 2.8 4.7 NT LO 15^(th) - 2006 1.6 1.0 2.9 NT LO16 Number of Carpels per All 2 2 2 2 Capsule 17 Capsule Length (cm)1997-2006 2.24 2.25 2.27 2.14 All 18 Seed Weight per Capsule 1997-20060.234 0.229 0.263 0.227 M (g) All 19 Capsule Weight per 1997-2006 0.1640.166 0.166 0.147 Capsule (g) All 20 Capsule Weight per cm of 1997-20060.073 0.074 0.073 0.069 Capsule (g) All 21 Visual Shatter Resistance AllW W I I C 22 Shaker Shatter Resistance 1997-2006 72.9 75.3 79.4 77.2 (%)All 23 Capsule Shattering Type All SR SR SR SR 24 Non-dehiscent Test AllND ND ND ND 25 Improved Non-dehiscent 2006 UV 6.33 6.33 7.32 7.33 Cvisual rating 2006 LO 6.33 6.67 7.33 7.08 C 2007 LO 6.56 6.56 7.33 7.35C 26 Improved Non-dehiscent All ZZ ZZ IND IND C Test 27 Days toFlowering 2007 UV 44 44 42 42 28 Days to Flower 2007 UV 90 88 87 88Termination 29 Days to Physiological 2005-2007 100 99 98 97 Maturity UV2005-2007 104 103 103 102 UV/LO 2007 UV 109 108 110 108 30 Days toDirect Harvest 2007 UV 151 151 131 129 C 31 Lodging Resistance 2007 UV6.43 7.00 7.38 6.28 C 2007 LO 5.00 5.25 7.89 7.08 C 32 Seed Color All BFBF BF BF 33 Seed Weight - 100 Seeds 1997-2006 0.331 0.331 0.306 0.312 Cfrom 10cap test (g) All 34 Composite Kill Resistance 2007 UV 6.44 6.896.21 5.94 C 2007 LO 6.25 6.50 6.95 6.25 C 35 Resistance to Fusarium NTNT NT NT Wilt (F. oxysporum) 36 Resistance to Phytophtora 2007 LO NT NTNT NT Stem Rot (P. parasitica) 37 Resistance to Charcoal Rot NT NT NT NT(Macrophomina phaseoli) 38 Resistance to Bacterial 2004 UV 6.98 7.048.00 8.00 Black Rot (Pseudomonas sesami) 39 Resistance to Silverleaf2006 UV NEC NEC NEC NEC White Fly (Bemisia argentifolii) 40 Resistanceto Green 2004 UV 8.00 7.93 8.00 5.50 Peach Aphid (Myzus persica) 41Resistance to Pod Borer 2001 UV NEC NT NT NT (Heliothis spp.) 42Resistance to Army Worms NT NT NT NT (Spodoptera spp.) 43 Resistance toCabbage 2007 LO NEC NEC NEC NEC Loopers (Pieris rapae) ^(a)B = truebranches; U = uniculm (no true branches); UV = Uvalde nursery; M =medium maturity class of 95-104 days; B1M = phenotype of true branches,single capsules per leaf axil, and medium maturity class of 95-104 days;U1M = phenotype of uniculm, single capsules per leaf axil, and mediummaturity class of 95-104 days; LO = Lorenzo nursery; NT = not tested; W= weather visual seed retention >75%; SR = shatter resistant; ND =non-dehiscent; ZZ = not improved non-dehiscent; IND = improvednon-dehiscent; BF = buff color; and NEC = no economic damage - notenough disease or insects to do ratings.

As stated earlier, in developing sesame varieties for the United States,there are seven important characters: SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE(Character No. 22), IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING (Character No.25), COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34), DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICALMATURITY (Character No. 29), YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character No. 10), SEEDCOLOR (Character No. 32), and SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM 10CAP TEST(Character No. 33). These characters will be discussed first and willinclude a discussion of all of the current commercial varieties (S25,S26, S28, S29, S30, and S32), followed by other characters thatdifferentiate S30 from S26, S28, and S32.

FIG. 2 provides the SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE (Character No. 22) of allthe varieties that have been harvested direct. S11 was the first varietythat could be left standing for harvest with adequate yields in normalweather. With the exception of S17, varieties S15 through S22 werereleased for specific niches. S17 replaced S11 in most locations untilit was replaced by S23 and S24. In 2001, S25 replaced S23. S23 isconsidered to be the minimum acceptable SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE forcommercial use. S24, S25, S26, S28, and S29, all have SHAKER SHATTERRESISTANCE in the low to mid seventy percent level. S30 has the highestSHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE of all commercial varieties which contributesto a higher IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING (Character No. 25).

FIG. 3 provides the IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING (Character No.25) of all of the present commercial varieties. SHAKER SHATTERRESISTANCE (Character No. 22) represents the amount of seed that isretained by the plant several months after being dry in the field. Thisstandard was developed as a minimum standard in 1997-1998 and has provento be a good predictor of shatter resistance. However, when the plantshave reached DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (Character No. 30), the plants areholding more than the seed represented by the SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCEpercentage. If there is no rain, fog, dew, or wind during the dryingphase, the plants will be retaining almost all of their seed for thecombine. From the time that a capsule is dry the amount of shatterresistance begins to deteriorate. The IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUALRATING sets a new benchmark for selecting varieties: the line has tohave a rating of 7 or higher 4 weeks after DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (theideal harvest time). S30 and S32 are the only commercial varieties thatmeet this new standard as shown in FIG. 3 which is an average of 5nurseries from 2005 to 2007.

FIG. 4 provides the COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34) of thecurrent commercial varieties in the Uvalde and Lorenzo nurseries in2007. COMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE is a composite rating of resistance tothree root rots: Fusarium, Phytophtora, and Macrophomina. In most years,Fusarium is the major cause of kill. When sesame is first introducedinto a growing area, there are few disease problems, but over time thespores of these fungi accumulate and disease resistance becomesimportant. When sesame was first introduced in Uvalde in 1988, theyields were high. As farmers planted on the same fields in subsequentyears, the yields decreased. S30 is slightly lower than S26, S28, andS29 in South Texas, but is better than all varieties in North Texas. Theratings for S30 are acceptable for a commercial variety. Any ratingabove 5.67 indicates that over 90% of the plants produced good seed tothe top of the plant.

FIG. 5 provides the mean DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY (Character No.29) of the current commercial varieties in 2005 to 2007 in the Uvaldeand Lorenzo nurseries. In the United States, sesame is currently grownfrom South Texas to southern Kansas. The growing window of a crop isdetermined by the earliest the crop can be planted in the spring as theground warms up, and the onset of cold weather in the fall. Currentsesame varieties require about 21° C. ground temperature to establish anadequate population. In most years, the ground is warm enough in SouthTexas in middle April and in southern Kansas in late May. Current sesamevarieties require night temperatures above 5° C. for normal termination.In most years, the night temperatures are warm enough in South Texasuntil middle November and in southern Kansas until middle October. Therehave been years when cold fronts affect the growth of sesame in themiddle of September in the north. East of Lubbock, Tex., the elevationsbegin climbing towards the Rocky Mountains, and there are later warmtemperatures in the spring and earlier cold temperatures in the fall. Inall years, if the sesame is planted as early as temperatures allow,lines with DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY of 105 days or less will haveno problems. However, most areas are rainfed, and it is essential tohave a planting rain before planting the sesame. Thus, the earlier theDAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY of the variety, the more flexibility thefarmers have with planting date. In South Texas, the goal is to havevarieties with a DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY of less than 110 dayswhile in southern Kansas the goal is less than 90 days. The mean DAYS TOPHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY for S30 from 2205 to 2007 is 103 which allows itto be planted in all of the current sesame growing areas.

FIG. 6 provides the mean YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character 10) in Uvalde andLorenzo in 2007. In releasing a new variety, another importantconsideration is whether the yields (YIELD AT DRYDOWN) will becomparable or better than the existing varieties. In 2007 in the Uvaldeirrigated nursery, S30 yield (1,386 kg/ha) was comparable to S26/S28/S32(1,308/1,384/1,315 kg/ha) and better than S25/S29 (936/1,049). In 2007in the Lorenzo irrigated nursery, S30 yield (1,204 kg/ha) wasconsiderably higher than all the commercial varieties: S25 with 841kg/ha, S26 with 464, S28 with 639, S29 with 800, and S32 with 1,059kg/ha. S30 became a variety because the yields are comparable to theexisting varieties in all conditions, and better under certainconditions.

FIG. 7 provides the mean SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM THE 10CAP TEST(Character No. 33) of all direct harvest varieties between 1997 and2006. The hulled market is the premium use of sesame in the UnitedStates and Europe. In recent years, hulled sesame processors have beenincreasing the specifications of SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM THE 10CAPTEST to between 0.33 and 0.35 g, with the larger seed preferable forhulled products used on top of breads and buns. To date, the Sesacovarieties with the highest SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM THE 10CAP TESThave had marginal SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE (Character No. 22) and poorCOMPOSITE KILL RESISTANCE (Character No. 34). Most markets have nospecifications on seed weight, but larger seed is still desirable. Themean SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM THE 10CAP TEST for S30 for all years issmaller than all the current varieties except S25, but still meets thespecifications for a substantial portion of the U.S. market.

SEED COLOR (Character No. 32) is the last important character and S30 isthe same (buff) as the other commercial varieties.

The following paragraphs will discuss other characters that distinguishS30 from S26, S28, and S32. First the commercial significant characterswill be discussed, followed by the morphological characters.

The BRANCHING STYLE (Character No. 1) of S30 is uniculm as opposed totrue branches for all of the other current varieties. Going back to theearly work of D. G. Langham (Langham, D. G. and M. Rodriguez. 1945. Elajonjoli (Sesamum indicum L.): su cultivo, explotacion, y mejoramiento.Bol. 2, Publ. Ministerio de Agricultura y Cria, Maracay, Venezuela. p.132.), it has been known that single stem lines do better in narrow rowspacing (less than 75 cm) than branched lines, and that branched linesdo better than single stem lines in wide row spacing (greater than 74cm). In many of the sesame growing areas, farmers are trying to plantsesame on narrower row spacing. S30 will do better than the currentvarieties in that cropping pattern.

DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (Character No. 30) is important because once theplants are mature, the faster the drydown period the shorter the timethat the sesame field is exposed to bad weather conditions that yieldloss. As discussed above, rain, fog, dew, and wind can reduce shatterresistance, and as will be discussed below, high winds can lead tolodging. The number of DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST will vary depending on theenvironment, but generally a line that dries down faster than otherlines in one environment will dry down faster in all environments. Inthe 2007 Uvalde nursery S30 dried down 20 days earlier than S26 and S28enabling harvest three weeks earlier. S32 is a few days earlier than S30on this character. This is a significant character which will help theaverage YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character No. 10) when compared to the othercommercial varieties.

LODGING RESISTANCE (Character 31) must be measured when plants aresubjected to significant wind events that demonstrate differencesbetween the lines. Lines that lodge under low wind conditions arescreened out of plant improvement programs and do not become candidatesfor varieties. S30 exhibits better lodging resistance.

RESISTANCE TO GREEN PEACH APHID (MYZUS PERSICA) (Character No. 40) hasbeen a marginally important character because aphids have been a rareproblem in sesame in the U.S. Sesame is not susceptible to the morecommon cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii). At least one variety known to theinventor (S11) was very susceptible to the green peach aphid, and thissusceptibility caused damage in two commercial fields. Limited data onS30 indicates it does not have increased resistance to green peachaphids and is comparable to standard lines than any of the currentvarieties.

NUMBER OF CAPSULE NODES (Character No. 8) and AVERAGE INTERNODE LENGTHWITHIN CAPSULE ZONE (Character No. 9) are usually related. The greaterthe number of capsule nodes, the shorter the internode length. S30 hasmore capsule nodes and shorter internode length than S32, and comparablenumbers to S26 and S28, but all still results in acceptable yields. Theinternode length is one of the characters that is used to visuallydistinguish S30 from S32 in the field.

The LEAF LENGTH (Character No. 12) and LEAF BLADE LENGTH (Character No.13) on the 10^(th) and 15^(th) nodes are longer than all of the currentvarieties. This is quite common in comparing branched to single stemlines, and it can be used as an additional marker to differentiate thevarieties in the field.

The SEED WEIGHT PER CAPSULE (Character No. 18) is significantly higherthan the current varieties. Although increased yield has not yet beenmeasured under the testing conditions employed, increased seed weightper capsule allows for comparable yield with fewer capsules.

On Jan. 17, 2008, a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of sesame plant S30was made by Sesaco Corporation under the provisions of the BudapestTreaty with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, and the deposit wasgiven ATCC Accession No. PTA-8887. This deposit will be maintained inthe ATCC depository for a period of 30 years or 5 years after the lastrequest or for the enforceable life of the patent, whichever is longer.Should the seeds from the sesame line S30 deposited with the AmericanType Culture Collection become unviable, the deposit will be replaced bySesaco Corporation upon request.

The foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way ofillustration and characters for purposes of clarity and understanding.However, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications maybe practiced within the scope of the invention as limited only by thescope of the appended claims.

1. A seed of sesame variety designated Sesaco 30 (S30), a sample of saidseed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8887.
 2. Asesame plant produced by growing the seed of sesame variety S30, asample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No.PTA-8887.
 3. Plant cells derived from a sesame plant, said plantproduced by growing the seed of sesame variety S30, a sample of saidseed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8887
 4. Theplant cells of claim 3, comprising pollen.
 5. The plant cells of claim3, comprising a tissue culture of regenerable cells
 6. The plant cellsof claim 3, comprising an asexually reproducing cultivar.
 7. A sesameplant having all the physiological and morphological characteristics ofsesame variety S30, a sample of the seed of said variety having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8887.
 8. A sesame plantregenerated from a tissue culture of regenerable cells produced fromplant cells derived from sesame variety S30, a sample of said seedhaving been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8887, wherein saidregenerated sesame plant has all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of said sesame variety S30.
 9. The sesame plant of claim8, wherein said plant cells consist of cells derived from S30 seeds. 10.The sesame plant of claim 8 wherein said plant cells consist of tissuefrom a sesame plant produced by growing the seed of sesame variety S30.11. A method of producing sesame seed, comprising crossing a firstparent sesame plant with a second parent sesame plant and harvesting theresultant sesame seed, wherein said first or second parent sesame plantwas produced by growing seed of sesame variety S30, a sample of saidseed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-8887.